The Zamfara State Agency for Nomadic Education has recorded a remarkable rise in pupil enrollment and graduation across its schools, signaling progress in efforts to improve education among nomadic communities.
Speaking during a visit to the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Bala Tafidah, highlighted key achievements. These include a N200,000 donation from the Zamfara State Zakat and Endowment Board and the distribution of learning materials from the National Commission for Nomadic Education.
Tafidah noted that the agency has received support pledges from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Mass Education Board, the Community Social Development Agency (CSDA), and the FADAMA III programme.
Despite the progress, Tafidah expressed concern over the shortage of teachers in nomadic schools, revealing that the agency has been relying on volunteer teachers. He appealed to the state government to increase the agency’s monthly cash allocation or absorb the volunteers into the government’s payroll, as their stipends currently consume more than half of the agency’s funds.
“There is an urgent need for the recruitment of qualified teachers to manage nomadic schools,” he stressed. “Education is the foundation of any society.”
Responding, Commissioner Madawaki reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving education and promised that teacher recruitment would commence after the completion of the ongoing civil service verification exercise.
He also directed the agency to submit the names of absentee teachers for disciplinary action and assured that follow-ups would be made with organizations that pledged support.
(NAN)
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