GOVERNOR NASIR EL-RUFA’I: EDUCATIONAL REFORM INCHES TOWARDS BEING THE FIRST AMONG EQUALS!

GOVERNOR NASIR EL-RUFA’I: EDUCATIONAL REFORM INCHES TOWARDS BEING THE FIRST AMONG EQUALS!  
                               By: 
              Nurudeen Dauda
              April 5, 2016
nurudeendauda24@gmail.com 
nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com 
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com
                               
In my humble opinion, there will be light at the end of the tunnel in Kaduna state under the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufa’I; I am fully convinced that leadership requires ideas as well as commitment. There were many opportunities of intervention funds ranging from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Millennium Development Goals, MDGs (now SDGs) etc that our leaders past “mixed” or “wasted” either due to lack of information about the existence of the funds or commitment on part of their governments or both.  

Hon. Aisha Dukku, former minister of education said: “…UBEC programme introduced in 1999 was to eradicate illiteracy, poverty, stimulate national development, political consciousness and national integration… some states have failed to claim their grants since 2005, while over N58 billion of the commission’s fund was idling away in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unclaimed, yet states moan that they do not have money to develop the education sector” (Daily Trust: March 17, 2016:P.8).

Universal Basic Education Act, 2004 said: “section 11. Sub- section(1) The implementation of the Universal Basic Education shall be financed from-(a) Federal Government block grant of not less than 2% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund;(b) funds or contributions in form of Federal guaranteed credits; and (c) local and international donor grants. (2) For any State to qualify for the Federal Government block grant pursuant to subsection 1(l) of this section, such State shall contribute not less than 50% of the total cost of projects as its commitment in the execution of the project.(3) the administration and disbursement of funds shall be through the State Universal Basic Education Board”
The Governor of Kaduna state understood the provision of the UBEC act and at the same has the commitment to excess the funds and development the educational sector of the state.
“The Government of Kaduna state: Kaduna state Universal Basic Education Board; Pre-qualification of Contactors to Tender for Year 2014 Universal Basic Education Intervention-UBEC/SUBEB Projects… the Board wishes to invite interested, competent and reputable contractors to submit tenders for the following projects: CATEGORIZATION OF PROJECTS: Category ‘A’ Construction of New classrooms, laboratories, Toilets and rehabilitation of existing Schools facilities; Category ‘B’ Fabrication of ECCDE Games village and Installation; Category ‘C’ Supply of Pupils and Teachers Plastic Table and Chairs for ECCDE Classrooms; Category ‘D’ Supply of two Seater pupils Desk/Bench and Teachers Table/Chair; Category ‘E’ Supply and Installation of Laboratory fittings and fixtures and Category ‘F’ Fabrication of main and Pedestrian gates for Schools…”(Daily Trust: April 5,2016:P.11).

Just as I acknowledge the efforts being made by the government of Kaduna state, I hereby advise the government to as a matter of urgency look into the issue of salaries arrears of the primary school teachers; although the payment salaries largely come from the Local governments not the state government. 
My findings reveal that all the workers under Kaduna state government “payroll” now receive their salaries on the 25th of every month now and no worker under the state government is being owed his or her salaries as we speak. I am equally aware of the N500million bailout to the management of Kaduna state Water Board.
”Governor El-Rufa’I has approved the immediate release of N500 million as a bail-out to the board for the payment of salaries, wages and other allocations of the staff for the months of January to December 2014 and purchase of Chemicals for the use”(Daily Trust: December 18,2016:P.7). 
The management of Kaduna state Water Board upon receiving the bail-out paid the 12 months salaries arrears to staff instantly. I was told about a worker who shouted in joy in public thus: They paid us all!
Primary school teachers are suffering for the recklessness of the past. I share their pain! I feel for them! I pray for the quick resolution of the crisis! My standpoint on this is that, if the respective local governments lack the ability to sustain their monthly wage bills they should re-engage the staff not sacking, especially the ones in personnel; Zaria local government is said  to have 300 staff at the personnel department. The re-engagement could be done through Kaduna State Entrepreneurship initiative in partnership with Kaduna Business School.

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