El-Rufai declares state of emergency in education sector

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday declared a state of emergency in the education sector of the state.

He made the declaration in his speech at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, during activities to mark the country’s 55th Independence Anniversary.‎According to him, the nation is being liberated and there is need to also free the people by making quality education accessible to all.

He added that ‎ "education is freedom from want and the provision of free basic education in decent schools, with skilled teachers. This is one of the priorities this government will accomplish in its four-year term. ‎

"We have spent the past few months planning school repairs, the provision of school furniture and training of teachers.

"Today, we move to declare a state of emergency in education. We ask for your support as we begin to implement extraordinary measures in the education sector.

"Tomorrow, by God’s Grace, the commissioner for education, science and technology will announce the measures that will be taken to ensure that our schools’ infrastructure, tools and teacher quality are improved significantly within the next six weeks.

"We are determined that one legacy of the rebirth of our country will be the restoration of education as a tool to free our people from the fetters of ignorance.’’

The governor also exercised the prerogative of mercy in favour of 14 prisoners in the state to mark the independence anniversary.

He said five convicts sentenced to death were now to serve prison terms, while five others serving terms between three years and above were released on basis of good behaviour.

In addition, three prisoners were released on the basis of age, while one was released due to ill health.

El-Rufa’i then urged the people of Kaduna State to respect and uphold the law, as well as be their brothers’ keepersfor the state to achieve its goals.