Towards taking education to higher heights in Kebbi State, the State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris has affirmed commitment to reform the education sector.
In this direction, he has also decided to improve the general welfare of teachers in the State.
The Governor spoke at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Thursday while receiving teachers, students and pupils celebrating the 2024 International Day for Education, organized by the Accountability for Good Governance in Education, AGGE.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity to Kebbi State Governor, YAHAYA SARKI.
According to the Governor, the increase in budgetary allocation to education in the 2024 budget was designed to reform the sector and accelerate educational growth.
Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu informed the gathering that he would ever remain as a professional teacher with the penchant for educational development.
The Governor said that was why from his assumption of power to date, his administration has spent nine billion naira on construction and rehabilitation of educational infrastructure in primary and secondary schools, provision of teaching and learning materials towards attaining quality education.
He said that he has created an enabling conducive environment for the development of education, emphasising that education is the responsibility for all.
He announced that the state government would recruit additional teachers to fill the gap in some schools without the required number of teachers.
Governor Nasir Idris also spoke about his commitment to improving the welfare of teachers which he described as paramount under his administration.
He said "The era of treating teachers as second class status is over, we will rebuild the conference of teachers , we will look into the salary and welfare of teachers including students for the better, in Kebbi State".
Governor Nasir Idris also informed the teachers and students that the delay in the payment of teachers salary was over.
"I have asked the NUT to report to me about any delay experienced in the payment of teachers salary. We will take necessary action against any body involved".
The governor was happy to announced that he has designated every Thursday of the week as free day for Kebbi people to come to Government House to share ideas with the government on moving the state forward.
Comrade Nasir Idris announced a donation of ten million naira to the teachers and students.
The Hon Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Halima Muhammad Bande described the theme of this Year's celebration "Learning and Lasting Peace" as apt in view of the security challenges in the society.
Dr. Halima Bande made it clear that learning and peace were related and interwoven.
Consequently, she directed principals, headmasters and teachers of school to create Forum to discuss issues related to peace building and general tolerance with pupils and students, taking into cognisance social, cultural and religious background of communities towards ensuring tranquility.
Speaking on behalf of the students and teachers, organisers of the celebration, the Executive Director, WRAPPER, Alhaji Nasr Idris, requested state governments to allocate lion share of their annual budget to the education sector which formed the basis of societal growth and development.
He commended Governor Nasir Idris for placing premium on educational development but urged the state government to remove all forms of charges in schools to motive parents to enrol their children and wards into formal education system.
Highlights of the celebration, was the signing of declaration by Governor Nasir Idris, reaffirming commitment to enhancing the welfare of teachers, pupils and students.