The Zamfara State Government has made a firm promise to take immediate steps in confronting the severe challenge of out-of-school children within its borders. This renewed commitment places a special focus on enhancing educational access for nomadic communities, a key demographic in the state.
High-Level Meeting Reinforces Education Mandate
This pledge was delivered by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, when he received officials from the Zamfara State Agency for Nomadic Education in his office. The delegation was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Malam Wadatau Madawaki.
The visit was not merely ceremonial. During the event, awards of excellence were presented to 23 individuals recognized for their outstanding dedication and performance in advancing the agency's goals. The gathering underscored a collaborative approach, featuring prominent traditional rulers including the Emir of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Sanusi Ahmad Asha, and the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, alongside other leaders from the Fulani community.
The Current State of Nomadic Education in Zamfara
The agency, which is specifically tasked with delivering quality basic education to nomadic populations, currently oversees a significant network of schools. It manages 108 nomadic schools with a total enrolment of 6,412 students. A breakdown of this figure reveals that 2,017 of these students are female, representing 31.5 percent of the total enrolment.
Malam Nakwada used the occasion to stress the fundamental role of education in societal development and security. He pointed to education as a critical tool for preventing criminality, a view central to Governor Dauda Lawal's administration. The SSG reminded attendees of the governor's decisive declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector, noting that this policy has already begun to yield positive outcomes.
A Call for Redoubled Efforts and Future Promise
Reflecting on past shortcomings, the SSG expressed regret that if earlier governments and stakeholders had sufficiently prioritized education, Zamfara would be in a much better position today. He specifically highlighted the alarming statistics on out-of-school children and called on the Ministry of Education to intensify its efforts to meet this urgent challenge head-on.
"The Zamfara State Government, under Governor Lawal, will not rest until the education sector is fully revitalized," Nakwada assured all present. This statement forms the core of the government's current posture on educational reform.
Earlier in the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Nomadic Education Agency, Alhaji Bala Tafida, had conveyed gratitude to Governor Dauda Lawal for his unwavering commitment to improving educational standards and for the consistent support offered to the agency in executing its vital mandate.
