The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Kassim Muhammad-Kassim, has revealed far-reaching challenges hindering effective learning across the state’s basic education sector.
He made this known during the Basic Education Summit held at the Government House, Lafia, where key stakeholders gathered to chart a new direction for foundational learning in the state.
NSUBEB Chairman Lists Critical Sector Challenges
Muhammad-Kassim disclosed that two committees he constituted at the start of his tenure uncovered several deep-seated issues, including:
Shortage of qualified teachers
Illegal promotion of teachers
Overstaffing in local government education offices
Financial irregularities and illegal loan deductions by banks
Teachers’ truancy
Lack of lesson plans and lesson notes
Inadequate classroom furniture
Vandalisation of school facilities
Poor construction quality and absence of maintenance culture
Primary 5 and 6 pupils unable to read or write
He further revealed that 3,000 trained teachers had illegally transferred themselves from classrooms to LGA education offices. NSUBEB has since redeployed 1,900 and is working to return the remaining 1,000.
The Chairman commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for approving the recruitment of 1,000 new teachers and supporting the procurement of 30,000 tables and chairs, scheduled to be flagged off at the close of the summit.
“Every Almajiri Must Be in School” , NSUBEB Boss Warns
Issuing a strong directive, Muhammad-Kassim warned Mallams, Fulani leaders, and parents that:
“Every Almajiri and every child must be in school between 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Any child aged four to fifteen found on the street during school hours will face the law.”
He praised Governor Sule for sustaining free and compulsory education across the state, including continued payment of NECO examination fees.
Diverting School Resources Is Criminal, Prof. Iredia
In his lead presentation titled “Basic Education in Nasarawa State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” media icon and academic, Prof. Tonnie Iredia, declared that diverting school resources should be treated as a criminal act.
He advocated healthy competition among LGAs and schools to encourage higher performance and accountability.
Gov. Sule Restates Commitment to Basic Education
Declaring the summit open, Governor Abdullahi Sule commended NSUBEB for organising the first-of-its-kind education summit in the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to investing in basic education, especially in the northern states where challenges are more severe.
“Whatever time and investment we put into education is worth it,” the Governor stated.
