Manny Ita –
Governor Dauda Lawal has approved a 120-day Rapid Intervention Action Plan to address systemic challenges in Zamfara State’s education sector.
The decision was taken during the 65th State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the Government House in Gusau, where key issues across education, health, works, and other sectors were deliberated and approved.
According to the Council, the intervention plan is based on earlier diagnostic assessments conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Education Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA). The plan, presented by the overseeing Commissioner for Education, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, includes measures such as payroll audits, school mapping, and infrastructure assessments. It outlines targeted, time-bound reforms spanning governance, infrastructure, digital transformation, teacher development, and student welfare.
As part of efforts to improve school safety, the Council approved the establishment of a joint committee to assess all illegal or unapproved structures located around schools, with a mandate to facilitate their relocation and enhance security. The committee will be led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The Council also endorsed the development of a unified Education Sector Bill covering all levels from Early Childhood Care Development Education to tertiary institutions. The bill will be drafted in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and development partners, before being presented to the State House of Assembly within the emergency timeframe.
In addition, the Council approved the transfer of non-teaching staff, including support personnel such as messengers, labourers, cooks, guards, and drivers, from the Ministry of Education payroll to appropriate ministries, departments, agencies, or private service providers.
The Council further approved the composition of the Zamfara State Steering Committee on the State of Emergency on Education and authorised it to establish a Technical Working Group. The group will include representatives from key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers, UNICEF, UBEC, traditional and religious leaders, private school operators, and civil society organisations.
