The Kano state government on Wednesday said its free and compulsory education policy was geared towards tackling the high number of out-of-school children and other related issues.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said this at the opening of the quarterly meeting organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with Executive Chairmen of States Basic Education Boards in Kano.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Nasiru Yusuf-Gawuna, said that to implement the education policy, huge financial commitment was required, which had necessitated establishment of the state education trust fund.
A statement by Mr Hassan Musa-Fagge, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, further quotes Ganduje as acknowledging contributions of the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC and other stakeholders towards achieving qualitative education in the state
The governor also assured that the state government would continue to fulfill the obligation of payment of counterpart funds to access matching grants for schools’ infrastructure and ensure quality education for the children.
In his remarks, the Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu, represented by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, said that the Federal Government places high premium on the education of the Nigerian child.
He assured that the government would continue to critically consider all issues related to education in the country.
Adamu said that the Federal Government would also support states in tackling the issue of out-of-school students through the Better Education Service for All (BESDA) initiative, supported by the World Bank.
The Executive Secretary, UBEC, represented by Prof. Bala Zakari, said that the quarterly meetings have helped UBEC and the SUBEBs to remain focused in their primary assignment of providing access to quality basic education for school-aged children in the country.
He further said that the meeting had provided the platform for regular discussion of issues around basic education implementation in the country.(NAN)
