Bala Mohammed Highlights His Achievements In Education As Gov Of Bauchi

The Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed has highlighted his achievements in education.

He spotlighted the things he has done in the sector in disclosures he made on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

The Governor wrote in a post in he made on his social media handle…

As Governor of Bauchi State, I am deeply committed to transforming our education sector, and I am proud of the remarkable progress we have made across both higher and basic education. My administration’s dedication to revitalizing the state’s education system is evident in the key initiatives we have implemented.

Here are some of our notable achievements:

1. Increased Education Budget: We raised the budget allocation for the education sector from 12% to 16%, marking the highest allocation in recent years. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to improving education.
2. Expanded Exam Sponsorship: For the first time, the state government is sponsoring students’ registration for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exams. Previously, we only covered one exam, but we have now expanded this support to all three.
3. Financial Support for Students: Over 14,000 students have had their registration fees for WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NBAISE, and NABTEB fully covered by the government, providing crucial financial relief to families.
4. Modernized Exam Infrastructure: We have modernized the examination process by acquiring an industrial code machine for printing exam papers and an industrial paper-cutting machine, ensuring efficient and secure exam preparation.
5. ICT Training for Examinations: We have provided ICT training to students, teachers, and exam staff to improve their preparedness for JAMB and other exams, equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in a digital world.
6. Accreditation of Technical Colleges: Bauchi State has paid accreditation fees for eight technical colleges, creating more opportunities for students to access quality vocational education.
7. Resolution of WAEC Center Issues: We addressed the de-recognition of several WAEC centers by paying ₦12 million, successfully restoring recognition and ensuring that our students can sit for their exams.
8. Successful BECE Exam: In 2023, we conducted the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) successfully, reflecting the improvements in our education system.
9. Global Education Grant: Bauchi State was selected as one of only six states to receive a System Transformation Grant (STG) from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), providing us with essential resources to further enhance our education system.
10. Renovation of Women Education Centers: We refurbished and equipped six Women Education Centers with vocational training materials, empowering women with the skills needed to thrive.
11. Expansion of Non-Formal Learning: We have established new Non-Formal Learning Centers to provide greater access to education for out-of-school youth, ensuring no one is left behind.
12. Distribution of Educational Materials: During the 2022 Literacy Year, we distributed teaching, learning, and vocational materials to all 20 Local Government Areas, ensuring that our students and teachers are well-equipped.
13. Support for BASAME: We provided two motorcycles to the Bauchi State Agency for Mass Education (BASAME) to enhance mobility and service delivery in our education programs.
14. Accreditation of Women Education Centers: Four Women Education Centers, located in Bauchi, Darazo, Dambam, and Katagum, have been accredited and are undergoing upgrades to improve their facilities and offerings.
15. Mapping of Tsangaya and Islamiyya Schools: We mapped over 21,000 Tsangaya and Islamiyya schools to integrate them into the formal education system, ensuring these institutions can benefit from government support.
16. Facilitator Training: We trained 325 facilitators to improve the delivery of education in our local government areas, enhancing the quality of teaching across the state.
17. State Literacy Day: During the 2023 State Literacy Day celebrations, we distributed skills acquisition materials to selected Women Education Centers, reinforcing our commitment to lifelong learning.
18. BASAME Staff Training: Junior staff from BASAME were trained at the National Productivity Centre in Abuja, improving their productivity and service delivery.
19. Digital Literacy for Out-of-School Children: In collaboration with UNICEF, we trained 824 out-of-school children in digital literacy across five local government areas, equipping them with essential skills for the future.
20. Grassroots School Enrollment Campaign: We launched a mobilization drive focusing on girl child education and nomadic communities, encouraging greater school enrollment across all 20 local government areas.
21. Increased Nomadic School Enrollment: Since 2019, nomadic school enrollment has increased by 25%, with 111,987 pupils enrolled and 530 schools established as of 2023.
22. Nomadic Vocational Course (NVC): We introduced a special vocational course in five boarding schools to support the education of nomadic children in remote areas, ensuring their access to quality education.
23. Special Needs Library Section: A dedicated section for people with disabilities has been created at the state library complex, ensuring that education is inclusive for all.
24. New Public Libraries: We have approved the establishment of public libraries in Alkaleri and Ningi to improve access to educational resources in these areas.
25. Partnership for JAMB Centre: Our collaboration with Zenith Cape led to the creation of a JAMB Centre at the state library complex, simplifying the registration process for students and increasing access to education.
26. Construction of Model Primary Schools: With the support of the African Development Bank, we built three new model primary schools in Mashema, Dagauda, and Yalwan Duguri, further improving access to quality basic education.
27. Employment of Teaching Staff: To strengthen education service delivery, we employed 485 new teaching and non-teaching staff, addressing the manpower needs in our schools.
28. Upgraded Educational Resource Center: The Educational Resource Center has been upgraded to a teacher development center, supporting the professional growth of primary and post-primary teachers.
29. New Computer Center: We have constructed a new computer center to promote ICT literacy, ensuring that both schools and communities are equipped with the technology needed for a modern education.

These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening the education sector in Bauchi State. By addressing both foundational and advanced educational needs, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for our children and communities.