Rabiu Omaku
The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) Dr.Kassim Mohammed Kasim has unveiled that the board under his leadership would focus on rural schools to ensure they are well-equipped.
He made this commitment at a maiden meeting with education secretaries from the thirteen Local Governments and eighteen Administrative Areas of the State
The NSUBEB boss stated that he was appointed by the Governor to reform the education sub-sector and was determined to achieve his mandate, even if it meant taking unpopular decisions.
While commenting on the deficit of chairs and desk in primary schools in the State,Dr.Kassim expressed dismay that Government made provisions for students’comfort were being diverted and sold to private schools by education secretaries and headmasters.
“Our students cannot be sitting on the floor while headmasters and education secretaries sell furniture we provided,” he assured. “I have visited schools and seen firsthand how children sit on floors, yet records show furniture was provided. I will not tolerate this under my administration.
The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kassim Muhammad Kassim, has pledged to recover all chairs and desks allegedly sold by some education secretaries and headmasters to private schools.
Speaking on the allegation of illegal deduction by Education Secretaries ,Dr. Kassim instructed the education secretaries not to make illegal deductions from teachers’ salaries, except on disciplinary grounds, which the board must be aware of.
He stressed that teachers’ salaries are modest, and illegal deductions should cease immediately.
He directed the education secretaries not to allocate school land to small business ventures without the board’s permission, citing instances where individuals claimed school lands for personal use.
He announced plans to establish a maintenance unit in each Local Government to protect and safeguard SUBEB properties, warning that poorly executed contracts would be revoked, and contractors’ payments withheld until satisfactory work is completed.
“We cannot renovate a school this year and have the same structures renovated next year,” he added. “It indicates a problem with the initial contractor’s work. We will not pay contractors until we are satisfied with the quality of work.”
Dr. Kassim informed the education secretaries that he has invited the Deputy Commissioner of police in charge of Operations to assist him to identify those furnitures sold to private schools proprietors.
