Zulum flags off disbursement of over N2.6bn improvement grants to 108 schools

AHMED MARI, Maiduguri

 

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has flagged off the disbursement of  N2,618,690,900 large school improvement grant to 108 public schools and award presentation to outstanding staff in the education sector and the World Bank-funded Adolescent Girls Institute for Learning and Empowerment  (AGILE) of  $50,000,000 to schools, teachers and girl child across the state.

 

Speaking at the ceremony at the Government House, Maiduguri Thursday, Prof. Zulum said “I am very pleased to welcome you to yet another ground breaking occasion of flag-off of disbursement of  N2,618,690,900 as large school improvement grant to 108 public schools across Borno State and award presentation to outstanding staff in the education sector in collaboration with the World Bank funded Adolescent Girls Institute for Learning and Empowerment  (AGILE) which is a $50,000,000 Dollar  World Bank loan to the States to improve access for out of school children particularly adolescent girls by rehabilitating and upgrading existing school facilities, providing scholarship, grant life and digital literacy skills to Junior and Senior Secondary Schools across the State.”.

 

“So far, 284 schools have already benefited from the small school improvement grant of   N1,554,000.00.

The disbursement ranges from N3,600,000.00 to N6,700,000.00 per school in the first and second phases which took place on the 7th of July, 2022 to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities and provision of teaching and learning materials.

 

In this phase of the disbursement of large school improvement, 108 schools will benefit from N2,618,909,900.00 for upgrading and reconstruction of existing facilities of secondary schools across the State”, Zulum said.

 

He said also, Conditional Cash Transfer scholarship for 50,000 vulnerable and fewer privileged households ranging from  N25,000 to N30,000 annually to the completion of their Secondary School Education would be granted, stressing that 42,147 adolescent girls in the 27 Local Government Areas are currently benefiting from the grant.

 

The Governor said “this administration approved the disbursement of these grants to schools to test their integrity of handling public trust by allowing them to execute minor projects through the renovation of toilets, water points and classrooms.  It is therefore expected to be executed honestly while expanding the funds entrusted to you.”.

 

“I am aware that the schools are mandated to sign an indemnity that these funds shall be utilized to improve the condition of schools and not otherwise.  This means any attempt to mismanage the funds will be tantamount to violation of the indemnity and the law shall take its course”, added.

 

Zulum said “the presentation of this merit award was on your contribution to the growth and development of the society. I assured you that Government will do everything possible toward uplifting the welfare of teachers in the State. I seize this opportunity to appreciate the Nigeria Union of Teachers for considering me for this award.  It is a challenge to me to do more in demonstration of good qualities of leadership.”

 

He  commended the Word Bank for continuously providing interventions to the Borno State  Government

 

Also in his remarks, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Abba Wakil said, “you may recall that the World Bank Recovery and Peace Building Assessment (RPBA) report, puts the number of destroyed classrooms at over 5,000 as a result of the insurgency leading to the disruption of schooling for over 2.2million children as at the year 2015.”.

 

He said from May 2019 to date, Governor Zulum has built 24 mega schools, constructed 626 classrooms across 145 schools, provided 526 conveniences in 284 schools, and paid minimum wage to 5,824 teachers of Local Education Authorities (LEAs). This figure includes the 395 at the Second Phase of the Competency Test, built 64 fully furnished Teachers’ Quarters in  Maiduguri, Banki and Mafa, recruited over 800 teachers and advertised for the recruitment of more., provided over 30,000 pieces of school furniture, procured 231,000 sets of 6nos. of science textbooks for students across the Senior Secondary Schools, and  435,225 sets of 4nos. Primary School Textbooks among others

 

“We are expecting the next consignment of 200,000 sets of 6nos. of Arts and Business Studies Textbooks and provide science equipment to 22 Government Secondary Schools.

 

“The impact of these is a total enrolment of 670,753 pupils in our Primary Schools as against 584,394 in 2019, while enrolment in the Junior Secondary Schools is now 177,158 as against 128,854 in 2019. In the Senior Secondary School, enrolment is now 83,347 from 18,915 in 2019. 320,427 Almajiri Learners have been mainstreamed as against 62,500 in 2019.  Enrolment has increased by 57.5% from 2019 to 2022.

In furtherance of Your Excellency’s desire to improve conditions in public schools across Borno State. Your Excellency, through the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, achieved a lot in creating access, mainstreaming of both formal and non-formal learners;”.

 

Wakil said “today, Your Excellency, through another initiative of yours which is the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project we will disburse Two Billion, Six Hundred and Eighteen Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira (₦2,618,490,900) as Large School Improvement Grants to 108 Schools across the State. Permit me in your presence to charge the respective School Principals, who are Senior Government Officers on the judicious utilization of the funds and delivery of qualitative projects, since monies ranging from ₦13,500,000 and ₦26,000,000 will be transferred to the school accounts directly.   In the same vein, Conditional Cash Transfer of ₦45,000,000 will be given to 9,903 vulnerable and less privileged girls for the First Term 2022/2023 Academic Session.”.

 

He commended Governor Zulum for introducing an unprecedented Reward System; to twelve individuals across the Basic and Secondary Education sectors for their dedication to duty, stressing that it is the first time in so many years that teachers are being recognized, which according to him,  will no doubt go a long way in boosting morale amongst staff.

 

Governor Zulum also presented N1 million cash to Mr. Daniel Odemete of Government Girls College, Maiduguri, Abubakar Sadiq Askira of Mohammed Goni Junior Day Secondary School Damasak, Umar Ali Gabchiya of Ngomari Primary School, Ahmadu Abubakar Kaigama of Govt. Day Secondary School Izge, Sanda Gonj Usman of  Government Day Secondary School Gamboru, and  Hajiya Falmata Maina of Government Girls Secondary School Biu among others. Four others received Peugeot 506 cars for their outstanding performances.

 

For a better society

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