BORNO: Out-Of-School Children Drops From 2m To 800,000- Zulum

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has disclosed that the state has made significant progress in addressing the problem of out-of-school children by reducing the number in the state from over two million to 800,000.

Zulum stated this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at the inauguration of 27 local government education secretaries and the distribution of 57 school monitoring vehicles.

He noted that his administration since 2019, when sworn in, has embarked on rebuilding the devastated school infrastructures to provide enhanced learning outcomes.

“Since assuming office in 2019, education has been a paramount focus of my administration.

“Initially, our efforts were directed towards rebuilding our devastated school infrastructure to provide access to over two million out-of-school children in Borno.

“I am grateful that, by the grace of Allah, the number of out-of-school children has now decreased to less than 800,000,” he said.

The governor said the vehicles inaugurated for the local government education authorities are to enhance mobility and effective monitoring, adding that the vehicles must be used strictly for official purposes by authorised drivers.

He also charged the newly appointed Education Secretaries to live up to the expectations and warned that anyone found to be underperforming would be replaced.

“I must emphasise that with great privilege comes great responsibility. Therefore, I have directed the Honorable Commissioner for Education to furnish me with quarterly reports on the performance of each education secretary. Those failing to meet expectations will be replaced,” Zulum said.