The Sokoto state government has earmarked N1.9 billion to purchase 110,000 school furniture to address infrastructure challenges in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Sokoto state Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Muhammad Mainasara, made the disclosure at a two-day stakeholders’ forum on progressive taxation.
The meeting was organised by the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) in collaboration with the Rural Women and Youth Development (RUWOYD)
Mainasara, said the challenges facing education system in the state were numerous and beyond what government alone could tackle.
“We have experienced situations where students use blocks as chairs and tables or a mat on the floor, which is so much touching and need to be generally addressed.
“As such the state government conducted a census on the required furniture for the schools in the state and earmarked N1.9 billion to purchase 110, 000 furniture to address such challenges.
“Moreover, we require more intervention from the private sector to improve the state education system,” he said.
“The state has tremendously improved on the schools’ infrastructures.
“We have constructed blocks of classrooms across many schools and more are still under construction to address the successful increase in the number of schools’ enrolment in the state,” he said.
On the issue of girl-child enrolment, the permanent secretary said, “it is beyond ceremonial but it should be a continuous process.”
“Basically, we have to change our thought of ceremonial enrolment in the rural areas, most especially for the girl child and encourage more enrolment.
“Our younger ladies should be government ambassadors to disseminate the need for rural dwellers to ensure their girl child are enrolled in school.
“However, the Schools Base Management Committees (SBMCs) need more training to improve our education system.
“This will enable the communities to always take charge of the ownership of the schools to ensure full monitoring in order to succeed.”
