Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Executive Chairman of Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Umaru Nagwari Tambuwal, has said that the current economic condition and poverty are negatively affecting teaching and learning in public schools.
Nagwari Tambuwal made remarks in Sokoto on Thursday in an interview with journalists about the decay in the teaching and learning process in public schools across the state.
He said the recent hike in petrol prices and rising inflation also added to the sufferings of teachers and students who bear the impacts, hence increased depression and a lack of absolute concentration by teachers and pupils in classes.
“There are lots of factors. including the current economic situation in the country which sometimes hinders teachers from going to school early.
“Places where you used to pay N200 or N300 as transport has now tripled to as much as N1000 or even more.
“Majority of our teachers in public schools have families and other dependants to cater for. “how much is their salaries before now? Nagwari Tambuwal asked.
” As soon as the Governor makes a pronouncement on the new minimum wage, we will reflect whatever is approved in our teachers’ salary and as implement all their promotions, they will have a sense of belonging like any other civil Servant in the state”
“ The current situation is greatly affecting teachers and learning atmosphere throughout the whole nation. The issue is biting hard in the basic education sector.
He appealed for understanding, especially from those in the education sector, and reaffirmed that the Sokoto state government is doing its best to ameliorate concerns raised in the education sector.
Speaking to Journalists on the rising security challenges facing basic education in the state, the executive chairman said the problem is greatly increased school dropouts in Sokoto especially in areas affected by banditry in the eastern part of the state, “certainly we recorded a significant number of dropouts due parental displacement.
“As the area enjoys relative peace many school pupils have returned to classes and the board is making an effort to ensure that all school-age pupils in IDP camps were enrolled in schools and the committee to that effect has since been Inaugurated.
“Yes, the state government has Inaugurated a committee recently which I am opportune to be a member to look after school-aged pupils roaming streets of the metropolis and we are about to submit our report to the governor not quite long.
“In the report, we recommended finding a conducive atmosphere for them to stay, and then giving them the right to education, because each child in Nigeria is supposed to have free basic education.
“However, the challenge which we also recommended is that these school-age IDP children if assembled in a place to study, must be given food because they have no parents.
According to him, the board is in partnership with many donor agencies and NGOs like UNICEF, USAID, Agile, and many others to improve and make the current situation better.
“Teachers welfare is my greatest priority and I will do everything within my powers to make them comfortable.”
