From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Borno State government has disclosed that it reduced the number of out-of-school children from over 2.2 million to fewer than 700,000, representing a 70 percent reduction.
Governor Babagana Zulum announced the achievement during the inauguration of Government Secondary School, Mairi by the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Ndiame Diop.
Zulum highlighted that government had constructed 104 schools, restored 2,931 classrooms and distributed millions of instructional materials to basic and secondary schools across the state.
“We have built 104 schools, rehabilitated 2,931 classrooms and distributed free educational materials, including 20 million exercise books, two million textbooks, 15 million sets of school uniforms, 700,000 school bags and millions of other learning tools,” the governor stated.
He also emphasised the success of the school feeding programme which benefits 50,000 pupils annually and an initiative providing 10,000 bicycles to ease mobility challenges for rural students.
According to him, in supporting out-of-school youths that have passed the conventional school age, the administration has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET.
“We have established five Vocational Enterprise Institutes, two Second-Chance Women/Girls Skills Entrepreneurship Schools and reactivated nine existing vocational training centres. Our aim is to train approximately 5,000 artisans annually, empowering them with skills for self-reliance and addressing unemployment challenges,” he said.
Zulum expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its instrumental role in supporting Borno State’s developmental efforts through projects such as the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recover, Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE, Better Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes, ACReSAL.
“These initiatives have significantly advanced the developmental strides of our state and we are deeply appreciative of the World Bank’s partnership and support,” he added.
Speaking, Dr Diop commended Borno State’s commitment to rebuild its education sector, noting that the bank had supported the construction of 41 secondary schools and the rehabilitation of 392 schools across the state.
“This school is a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope and a testament to rebuilding better in the wake of adversity. We are impressed by the state’s efforts and remain committed to supporting Governor Zulum’s vision,” Diop stated.
The Commissioner for Education, Engr Lawan Wakilbe highlighted the transformation of Mairi Secondary School, which had operated from a temporary site for nearly three decades until Governor Zulum’s intervention.
He noted that through the AGILE project, the state aims to enroll 50,000 adolescent girls in the next four years.
In addition to Government Secondary School, Mairi, Governor Zulum and Diop commissioned Government Girls Junior Day Secondary School Molai and Government Day Secondary School, Gala-Mairi in Muna, Jere Local Government Area.
