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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) yesterday flagged off the distribution of over 619,197 teaching and learning materials to public basic education schools across Kaduna State.
The distribution was aimed at strengthening foundational learning and improving school enrolment.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) Complex in Kaduna, was led by the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba and the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB.
Speaking at the event, Garba, represented by the Director, Academic Service, Zipporah Panguru, said the intervention aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises education as a cornerstone of national development.
“Today is not merely about the distribution of materials; it is about strengthening hope and reinforcing our collective belief that every Nigerian child deserves access to quality, inclusive and equitable basic education,” she said.
According to UBEC, the nationwide programme includes the distribution of over 1.1 million school bags and learning accessories, 8.3 million assorted teaching materials for ECCDE and primary schools, 567,180 teachers’ guides, 1,480 interactive smart boards, assistive technology devices, and the renovation of more than 2,000 schools across the country.
For Kaduna State alone, 519,197 items are being distributed, comprising 174,366 textbooks, 190,175 exercise books, 32,343 school uniforms, 3,675 pairs of school sandals, 3,675 school bags, 40,175 pencils, 36,000 biro, 36,000 rulers and 2,788 sports equipment items.
This was even as PLANE added 100,000 copies of learning materials, to ensure the smooth transition from Hausa literacy to English literacy.
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Garba described the initiative as a practical demonstration of collaborative governance, noting that it reflected effective partnership between the Federal Government, the Kaduna State government and development partners.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, Mohammed Mubarak, noted that the intervention would significantly improve learning outcomes and reduce socio-economic barriers to school attendance, especially for vulnerable children.
“These are not mere numbers, they represent opportunity, dignity and renewed hope for thousands of children across our state,” he said.
He commended the Kaduna State government under the leadership of Uba Sani for prioritising basic education and sustaining collaboration with UBEC.
The KADSUBEB chairman added that the board’s focus goes beyond infrastructure to learning outcomes, stressing that textbooks, exercise books and school uniforms would directly enhance instructional delivery, practice, retention and inclusion.
Mubarak urged teachers to maximise the use of the materials and called on school administrators to ensure proper monitoring and accountability so that the items reach the intended classrooms.
He also encouraged pupils to use the materials diligently, describing education as “the most powerful instrument for personal transformation and societal progress.”
For his part, Deputy National Team Lead, PLANE, Sam Achimugu, thanked the state government for making it possible to touch lives of vulnerable children in the state, especially on Hausa literacy.
“So, we are collaborating with the state government to see how we can switch from mother tongue literacy to English literacy in 138 schools,” he said.
