Bauchi Communities Urged to Prioritize Children's Education

From Jamila Adamu, Bauchi

Communities in Bauchi State have been charged to take responsibility for enrolling their children in schools. Alhaji Adamu Mohammed Duguri, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), made this call at a high-level engagement on the implementation of Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) held at Hazibal Hotel Bauchi.

According to Duguri, some teachers are not qualified to teach at certain levels of education, which has negatively impacted the quality of education in the state. He therefore called on the TaRL project, assisted by UNICEF, to expand its scope to achieve its purpose.

Mrs. Nuzat Rafiq, UNICEF Chief of Field Office Bauchi, described TaRL as one of the proven education strategies worldwide. She emphasized that every community member is responsible for ensuring children attend school, stressing that TaRL strengthens states by involving all stakeholders.

Dr. Goni Shetima, TaRL Master Trainer, and Malam Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ado, UNICEF Education Specialist, presented an overview of the project. They revealed that TaRL was piloted in Alkaleri Local Government Area and has since expanded to 190 schools, benefiting 10,865 pupils and 290 government teachers.

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) zonal director, represented by Abdulsalam Abubakar, assured that UBEC will always partner with stakeholders to promote education in the state. The Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, represented by Danejin Bauchi Alhaji Lawal Babamaji, assured of full support and cooperation from traditional leaders in boosting the education sector.

Stakeholders, including Chairman House Committee on Education Nasiru Ahmed Ala, Director Schools Services SUBEB Zuhairu Usman, and Director Quality Assurance SUBEB Abbas Abdulmumini, suggested that adequate measures should be put in place while recruiting teachers in the forthcoming state government teachers employment.

The high-level engagement emphasized the importance of community involvement in promoting education. The stakeholders resolved to work together to improve the state's education sector, with a focus on ensuring that every child has access to quality education.