Determined to tackle the rot in the state’s education system, the Niger State Government said it has earmarked N4.29 billion in this year’s budgetary allocation for the renovation of government- owned primary and secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa said that the reconstruction and renovation of schools across the state had already been divided into two sections to cover primary and secondary school sections.
“In the primary school section, as we speak now, the State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), the agency supervising primary school education sub-sector has awarded contract for schools across the state, as well as the contract for chairs and tables which its distribution to schools will soon take place.
“I can tell you that the contractors have been fully mobilised and have since moved to the sites with jobs ongoing and by next week, the state government will embark on inspection of schools before resumption,” he added.
Vasta, who further said that same efforts will be applied to the secondary schools section, but due to paucity of funds the state government is to kick off the rehabilitation project in select two schools each from the three Senatorial Districts in the state pending when allocations to the state will improve.
“The total overhauling of the system is government’s priority. All the schools are being fenced as the governor, Abubakar Sani Bello is according paying due attention to education in order to revamp the sector,” the commissioner added. While chatting with our Correspondent on phone, the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Magudu, however, disclosed that over N2.150 million had already been spent by the state government on renovation of the six schools under its total school development approach.
According to her, the contractors had been mobilised to sites while the projects have reached 75 per cent completion stage. She said: “I can tell you that, the schools will be renovated to UNESCO’s standard because they are currently at 70 per cent completion and will be completed before the resumption of students for the new academic session.” – New Telegraph.
