Commissioner of Information and Orientation in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, has said that over 800,000 children in the state have been enrolled in basic education schools marking a drastic increase in the number of enrollments in public primary schools in the state.
Alhaji Danchadi attributed the increased enrollment to the efforts of the state governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, at improving education infrastructure across the state.
The commissioner disclosed this at a post budget presentation press conference where he gave a breakdown of the 2025 budget of the state presented by Governor Aliyu to the State House of Assembly recently.
Governor Aliyu presented a budget estimate of N526 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.
He said the state government had, since coming into office in 2023, improved education infrastructure across the state through the massive construction of classroom, perimeter fence across several public schools, improvement in the welfare of teachers and the provision of instructional aides to public school.
He also stated that the state will focus more on driving up school enrollment data across the state as work continues on the improvement of school infrastructure and provision of teaching aides.
“These efforts bring about increase in enrollment, particularly for Girls in our primary schools as over 800,000 children have been enrolled in school since 2023, with a particular focus on increasing girls enrollment. Between 2023 and May 2024, there has been a 7.4% increase in girls’ enrollment in primary schools.
“The increase in enrollment, especially among girls, is a positive development in promoting gender equality in education. By addressing barriers to girls’ education, such as cultural norms or economic constraints, the administration is empowering women and contributing to the broader goal of gender equity. It is a well-known fact that educating girls has long-term socio-economic benefits, including improved health, reduced poverty, and enhanced community development” he said.
According to the Commissioner, “the State Government has executed various projects, including the construction of over 170 blocks of classrooms and toilets in our basic schools, like Karfen Chana Primary School, Kiri Sallamawa Primary School (Gada), JSS Margai (Kebbe), IDP Camp Primary School Goronyo, Gyal-Gyal JSS (Wurno), Bada-Bada Primary School, Kware LGA.
“Similarly renovation and fencing of 79 dilapidated structures in our schools was carried out across the state such as Inname Primary School, Asara Primary School in Gwadabawa LGA, JSS Labani in Silame LGA, Maitandu Primary School, Isa LGA among others, as well as provision of instructional materials and furniture.”
Danchadi said the governor’s vision on education was to improve on the availability of quality education infrastructure so as to provide students with a conducive earning environment.
“The construction and renovation of schools will significantly improve the availability of quality educational infrastructure, particularly at the junior secondary schools level. These initiatives will provide students with a better learning environment, which is essential for effective education. The expansion of secondary education infrastructure will help accommodate the growing population of school-age children and increase access to education in rural and underserved areas.”