Zamfara To Renovate 20 Schools

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of public schools in Gusau Local Government Area, describing the situation as worrisome and unacceptable.

He made the remarks while speaking with newsmen after inspecting several schools alongside the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abdulmalik Gajam, and other government officials on Wednesday.

The governor noted that many of the schools visited need urgent rehabilitation, with some having suffered years of neglect. He warned that conditions in rural areas could be even worse than those observed in the state capital.

Governor Lawal stressed that education remains the backbone of societal development and said no meaningful progress can be achieved without a strong educational system.

He announced that the state government has approved the selection of 20 schools for comprehensive upgrading within four months. The intervention will include full rehabilitation of infrastructure, provision of learning materials, and teacher training to improve educational quality.

He also disclosed that a committee has been established under the Ministry of Education to assess challenges across schools and develop a comprehensive action plan.

“We have set up a committee to go round, assess the situation, and come up with practical solutions. Implementation will begin immediately because the issues we have seen require urgent attention,” he said.

The governor called on teachers, students, and communities to take responsibility for safeguarding school facilities against vandalism, noting that maintaining infrastructure is a shared duty.

During the inspection, he visited GGDSS Birnin Ruwa, GGDSS Galadima (Gidan Roba), GGDSS Tsunami, GGDSS Sarkin Kudu, and GGDSS Unguwar Zabarma.

Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Zamfara State, Hajiya Saadatu Gusau, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address challenges in the education sector.

She noted that the decline in education has persisted for years and requires collective action from government, communities, and other stakeholders.

Governor Lawal also inspected the Gusau Water Works (Gidan Ruwa) as part of efforts to address broader infrastructure challenges, revealing plans to overhaul the water supply system in phases.