Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC has praised Jigawa State for its significant strides in enhancing the quality of basic education.
During an official visit to UBEC headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Aisha Garba, commended Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s leadership, highlighting the state’s strategic investments and innovative initiatives aimed at transforming education.
Mrs. Garba acknowledged Jigawa’s impressive record in accessing over N21 billion in UBEC matching grants since 2004, positioning the state among the top performers.
She pointed out that in 2024, only ten states accessed their matching grants, with Jigawa proudly being one of them.
The only remaining balance for the state is N6 billion, set to be accessed in 2025.
Highlighting the state’s educational infrastructure, Mrs. Garba noted the construction of over 3,000 classrooms, 30 office buildings, 500 boreholes, and 1,200 toilets.
She also lauded the training of over 17,000 teachers, emphasizing that these efforts, combined with community engagement and transparency, make Jigawa a model for other states.
Governor Namadi, in his address, explained that the government’s proactive response to poor learning outcomes led to the recruitment of over 7,000 teachers.
He also introduced community-based strategies like Mothers’ Forums and revitalized School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to improve attendance and monitor performance.
According to him, these measures have proven to be transformative, helping to ensure that children attend school regularly and are engaged in their learning.
The Governor also shared details of the state’s partnership with NewGlobe under the Jigawa UNITES program.
Governor Namadi emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with UBEC to ensure coordinated monitoring and evaluation of education progress.
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