Commissioners for Education from the 19 northern states met in Kano on Sunday to discuss issues relating to students’ exchange programmes (SEP) in participating states in the region.
Speaking at the meeting, the Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje said education was the state’s priority, hence it was according to the sector the attention it needed to facilitate access for the children.
Represented by his deputy Nasiru Gawuna, the governor said more emphasis needed to be placed on education by all, since it remained the bedrock of any activity in the world.
“The meeting came at the right time and it will go a long way in yielding positive outcomes for all northern schools,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Muhammad Sanusi-Kiru, the Kano Commissioner for Education, said that the state government had adequately demonstrated its commitment to and the conviction that SEP had served its purpose.
“Kano is also a participating state in the SEP, where two secondary schools are presently running the programme.
“The schools are Government Unity College and Government Girls’ College, Kachako. Apart from the SEP, we will also discuss some disturbing issues that include security in boarding schools.
“The idea of a students’ exchange programme was envisioned by our past leaders, to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation, and appreciation as a way of life within the northern region.
“We are considering whether boarding schools should continue or make recommendations to governments on the way forward, “he said.
He further explained that the issue of free and compulsory education, in the light of the resources required, should also be put in place, just as the review of the education law enacted in 1964 and the events that had taken place since then would similarly be considered.
On his part, Mr Shehu Muhammad, Chairman of the SEP, said that 12 northern states were created when the former governors found it necessary to introduce the exchange programme.
“They did that because they want to ensure the unity of the North while ensuring that education was enhanced.
“Later, the 12 states expanded to 19 states and every participating state sent 10 students, comprising five boys and five girls, to different northern schools to promote unity and we have achieved a lot in the process.
“We will also deliberate on key issues affecting schools, particularly schools with large student populations; to know if they have enough security, enjoy good teachers, and also improved security”, he said.
The chairman identified the failure of some states to pay their annual remittal bills as one of the challenges facing the SEP, saying that N200, 000 was to be paid per annum, to facilitate staff visits to inspect schools, assess their needs for facilities, and also address the issue of security.
He urged governments to improve the quality of their schools, by giving them a befitting new look, so as to encourage parents to send their wards to the schools.
Muhammad also said that monthly inspections to schools would be instituted to collate problems of the students while allowing them to voice them out.
Mr. Aliyu Tilde, the Bauchi Commissioner for Education thanked the state government for its support and hospitality in hosting them and prayed for peace to reign across the country.
NAN reports that all the northern states were in attendance. (NAN)
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