The UK Government, through the British High Commission in Nigeria, has pledged continued support to the Jigawa State Government as it holds an Education Reform Dialogue with critical stakeholders in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

The event which took place in Dutse was convened by the state’s Ministry of Basic and Higher Education, Science and Technology with the theme, ‘Repositioning Teaching, Learning and Development was targeted at highlighting the 12-point agenda of the new Jigawa administration, geared towards repositioning the state as a centre of excellence.

In addressing learning, poverty and other challenges with basic education in Jigawa State, including the dearth of teachers and the high prevalence of out-of-school children, Jigawa State has set aside more than N2.6 billion to recruit, train and induct 6,000 new teachers.

A recruitment committee was inaugurated by the Honourable Commissioner for Basic Education, Honorable Dr. Lawan Yunusa Danzomo during the Education Reform dialogue.

This reform was in line with key recommendations highlighted in a new Teacher Recruitment and Deployment Policy approved by the state, which the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) supported through its Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) and Partnership for Reform and Learning (PERL-ARC) programmes.

FCDO’s Senior Education Adviser, Mr. Ian Attfield, during a courtesy visit to Governor Namadi at govt. House, Dutse, commended the effort of the new administration while pledging the UK Government’s support.

He appreciated Governor Malam Muhammad Umar Namadi, on the formidable steps taken by his administration to address key strategic issues in Jigawa State’s educational sector, especially the current efforts to address the critical shortage of teachers.

“Nigeria is still experiencing a learning crisis, and one of the most vital ingredients that any state or government can do is to supply qualified, motivated and adequately supported teachers.

The UK is delighted to see the progress being made across the board, under the leadership and vision of Governor Namadi”, said Attfield.

He was accompanied on the visit by Mr Joseph Wales, FCDO Education Adviser; Mr. Abubakar Tijjani, FCDO Regional Coordinator in Jigawa State; Dr. Joe Abah, the Country Director of Development Alternatives International (DAI), the implementing partner on the PLANE project; Dr. Nguyan Fesse, the National Team Leader of PLANE and Mustapha B. Ahmad, the Jigawa State Team Lead for the PLANE programme.

Responding, Governor Namadi appreciated FCDO for its interventions in the state which has spanned over a decade.
He mentioned that the state is still reaping the benefits of the Public Financial Management reforms done by the UK Government through the then Department for International Development (DFID).