The Zamfara State Government has embarked on a major educational support initiative with the distribution of 408,137 teaching and learning materials to public schools across the state. The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen basic education, improve classroom delivery, and enhance learning outcomes among pupils.
Governor Dauda Lawal, who flagged off the distribution in Gusau, said the intervention demonstrates his administration’s commitment to revamping the education sector, which has long faced challenges of poor infrastructure, shortage of materials, and low enrollment rates. He emphasized that education remains a top priority and assured that the government will continue to invest in policies and programmes that uplift the sector.
According to the breakdown, the materials include textbooks, exercise books, instructional guides, charts, and other essential learning aids targeted at both primary and junior secondary schools. The items will be shared across all 14 local government areas to ensure equitable distribution and reach rural communities where access to quality educational resources has been most limited.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, explained that the distribution is in line with the government’s drive to support teachers with adequate instructional materials while also easing the financial burden on parents. He noted that many families in Zamfara struggle to provide basic school items for their children, making government intervention vital to reducing dropout rates.
Stakeholders in the education sector have applauded the initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction. According to education experts, the provision of adequate learning materials not only boosts pupils’ academic performance but also motivates teachers to deliver effectively, thereby improving the overall quality of education in the state.
The initiative also aligns with the state’s plan to restore public confidence in government-owned schools, which in recent years have suffered from neglect and poor patronage as many parents turned to private schools. By providing teaching aids, the government hopes to close the learning gap and encourage parents to enroll their wards in public schools.
Observers believe the distribution of over 400,000 materials is a significant milestone in Zamfara’s education reform agenda. However, they stress that sustained investment in teacher training, school infrastructure, and security around learning environments will be critical to achieving long-term transformation in the sector.
