Zamfara Reforms: Lawal Restoring Hope For Out-Of-School Children, Teachers — Gajam

The Zamfara State supervisory commissioner for education Mallam Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, has lauded the reforms of Governor Dauda Lawal in education stressing that the number of out of school children has reduced drastically.

Zamfara State commissioner for education who also doubles as substantive commissioner for budget and planning made this known while fielding questions in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP in Gusau.
According to him, Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration placed education at the centre of human capital development, recognizing it as a critical tool for security, economic recovery, and inclusive growth in Zamfara State.

“To ensure no child is denied access to Basic Education, the Ministry conducted placement of 33,368 pupils into JSS 1 and 1080 into girl’s focal schools across the state. To provide opportunities for out-of-school children a supplementary admission into JSS 1 across the state, resulting in the admission of 3,467 pupils who could not secure placement during the first batch.This intervention significantly reduced out-of-school numbers and reinforced the Governor’s commitment to equity and universal access to education. The state government supported the education of 538 into Federal Governments Colleges (FGGC Gusau, Sokoto and Anka), 53 into Key Science Academy, Abuja, 24 into federal Government prestigious Gifted and Talented Academy, Suleija and 30 in El – Amin academy, Mina, Niger State.

The state Government also paid the inherited outstanding debts to secure its commitment to student exchange program in which 384 of Zamfara state indigenes are studying in schools outside Zamfara on Exchange program.Under Arabic & Islamic Education Board, admissions were provided to 1,741 JAIS and 1,564 SAIS students into Arabic and Islamic schools in the state. Gajam revealed.

He maintained that the state government under the administration of Governor Dauda extensively strengthened scholarship access for Zamfara state students. 22 Zamfara students completed studies in India.50 new scholarships supported by BUA Cement.

On teachers recruitment and welfare, the commissioner stated that the ministry facilitated the reinstatement of 103 wrongfully disengaged teachers, restoring justice and experienced manpower to the system while 2000 teachers were recruited. Selection of the first batch of 500 science teachers is completed, selection of the next 500 teachers prioritizing computer and entrepreneurship subject teachers is also in the pipeline.

Under SUBEB Teacher Professional Development Program, Gajam said 7,789 primary school teachers were trained. The state government also distributed 485,746 textbooks, 8,210 library materials, ECCDE plays materials and furniture across all the primary schools in the state. Teachers Service Board promoted 330 teachers, 41 confirmed, and 43 staff sponsored for undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional development

According to him, through AGILE Project interventions and state-funded initiatives, 789 schools across the state were renovated, rehabilitated, and upgraded, significantly improving teaching and learning conditions.

He said complete renovation of key institutions by CSDA, including Science School Gusau, ZACAS, GGDSS Zurmi, GSS Tsafe, GSS Maru, Unity School Gummi and Usman Dan Gwaggo Science School, Bungudu are part of Governor Lawal’s safe school initiative, the state government fenced 49 senior secondary schools to provide security and protection of school children.

Speaking on Technical and Vocational Education, Mallam Gajam revealed that “the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) recently approved 12 vocational training programmes for the Almustaqil School of Technology and Vocational Training Centre in Kaura Namoda. These include trades such as poultry farming, tailoring, electrical installation & maintenance, welding & fabrication, plumbing, carpentry, automobile mechanics, solar installation, beauty therapy, and more, marking a significant expansion of vocational skills offerings in the state.

“A remarkable record of 1,600 youths were trained in various vocational and technical skills like tailoring, dressmaking, welding, fabrication, and electrical installation, graduating with certificates aimed at economic empowerment. Under tertiary institutions, Zamfara State supported technical and vocational higher-education institutions, such as Abdu Gusau Polytechnic in Talata Mafara and Federal Polytechnic, KauraNamoda, which are accredited to provide technical and applied science programmers that contribute to TVET capacity in the state. The industrials train fund (ITF) trained 300 youths and women in skills like tailoring, wielding, and plumbing, providing them with empowering tools.”

On strengthening Support for Girl-Child Education, the commissioner stated that Governor Dauda Laval’s administration maintained a strong focus on equity, inclusion, and retention of girls in school. “Zamfara State emerged as one of only 10 beneficiary states nationwide under the “Flow with Confidence” initiative, aimed at improving menstrual health and reducing absenteeism.10, 000 sanitary pads were distributed monthly to schoolgirls to promote dignity, confidence, and uninterrupted learning.

The programme was led by Her Excellency, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, representing the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and witnessed by the permanent secretary, Maryam Yahaya Shantali, underscoring strong leadership advocacy for girl-child education.