Earlyface

The Kaduna State Government on Saturday
said it would establish four new Science
Secondary Schools in 2014 to enhance the
study of science-related courses.
The State Governor, Alhaji Muktar Yero,
disclosed this at the 21st Annual General
Meeting of the Zaria Education Development
Association in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Yero, who was represented by the Chief of
Staff, Kaduna Government House, Alhaji
Yahaya Aminu, said the schools would be
located in different parts of the state.
He said that the Teachers’ Service Board in
the state had recently recruited 1,800
science teachers to improve the quality of
teaching and learning in secondary schools.
The governor said that about N1 billion was
set aside from the Subsidy Reinvestment
Programme fund for foreign sponsorship of
eligible students to pursue educational
carriers across the world.
According to him, the State Executive Council
has recently approved contracts worth N3.7
billion for the construction and renovation
of educational facilities in the state.
“The money will cover construction of
examination halls, laboratories, construction
and renovation of classrooms; painting and
supply of furniture; and science laboratory
equipment,’’ he said.
In his message to the event, Gov. Idris Wada
of Kogi, lauded the efforts of the association
for embarking on educational programmes
that had given the less-privileged persons
the opportunity to acquire Western
education.
Wada, who was represented by the State
Commissioner for Health, Dr Bedi Idris,
described education as a leading light and a
tool for self-actualisation.
“I must stand bold to say that your efforts is
laudable, commendable and worthy of
emulation by all emirates and chiefdoms
across Nigeria,’’ he said.
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, said
that it was a collective responsibility to
ensure that children receive the best
education.
He said that such education would make
them responsive to the rapidly increasing
challenges of the modern society.
The Emir, who was represented by
Sardaunan Zazzau, Dr Muhammadu Jumare,
called on both state and local governments
to continue to partner with the association
to promote education and peaceful co-
existence among the people of the state.
Earlier, the Chairman, ZEDA Board of
Trustees, Alhaji Abdullahi Nuhu-Bamalli, said
the association’s approach toward
community empowerment, through the
promotion of quality and functional
education, would continue to be pursued at
all levels.
“This approach will continue to be
developed in an attempt to meet up with
emerging challenges in respect of our
objectives.
“It is in this regard that all stakeholders,
including parents, youths, organisations, as
well as government should fashion out new
strategies that will guarantee sound,
qualitative and purposeful education,’’
Nuhu-Bamalli said.