Governor Zulum Okays 1 Billion Naira Spending  For Training of Teachers                                       ~ Gives 58 vehicles to newly appointed ES

By Abdul Kareem

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has sanctioned an N1 billion fund aimed at the training of grassroots teachers, a move that seeks to counter the devastating setback the state suffered due to the impacts of the Boko Haram insurgency. 

It is also on record that the state has seen the tragic loss of nearly 400 teachers, especially at the grassroots, due to Boko Haram’s hate for Western education. 

Speaking during the inauguration of newly appointed local government education secretaries, Governor Zulum announced the initiative that will breathe new life into the primary education system across the state’s 27 local government areas. 

The plan includes upskilling over 1,000 basic-level teachers, currently holding O-Level certificates, to achieve minimum teaching qualifications.

The governor’s approach is part of a concerted effort that began in 2019, focusing on reconstructing the educational infrastructure destroyed by years of conflict. His policies have made significant strides, reducing the number of children out of school from an alarming two million to eight hundred thousand.

In a message to the appointed education secretaries, Zulum emphasized the weight of their roles and the expectation of exemplary performance, threatening to replace any underachievers with more competent individuals.

Governor Zulum also demonstrated his commitment to logistical support by providing 58 utility vehicles, including Toyota Hilux pickup trucks and Volkswagen Golf-3 wagons, to improve the mobility of the education secretaries. However, he cautioned that these vehicles must be strictly used for official purposes.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, outlined the rigorous selection process for these pivotal roles, which saw 126 applicants vying for the opportunity to shape the future of Borno’s education landscape.

As Borno continues to recover from the shadows of insurgency, The Humanitarian Times believes that Governor Zulum’s latest educational investment marks a hopeful chapter for the state, promising to empower teachers and breathe life into learning for the youth of Borno.