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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NASUBEB), Dr Kasim Muhammed Kasim, on Tuesday, identified vandalism, teacher truancy, substandard school projects, and the diversion of instructional materials as major issues confronting basic education in the state.
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the December 4 Basic Education Summit themed “Revitalising the future of basic education in Nasarawa State: Yesterday, today and tomorrow”, Dr Kasim said the summit became necessary after two committees set up by the board uncovered worrisome gaps in the system.
According to him, “The vandalisation of school windows and doors, theft of chairs, poor attitude of teachers to teaching, truancy and lack of maintenance were among the critical issues we discovered. We also found disturbing cases of poorly constructed structures in several schools.”
He disclosed that Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved far-reaching interventions, including the purchase of 30,000 chairs and desks, up from the initial 15,744 earlier approved, to address furniture shortages.
“His Excellency graciously increased the number to 30,000 — 10,000 per zone — and he will flag off the distribution during the summit,” he said.
Dr Kasim further revealed that the board acquired seven minibuses for statewide sensitisation on school enrolment, adding that out-of-school children remain a major concern.
“Enrolment is low while the number of out-of-school children is high. Education must not only be free but compulsory in Nasarawa, as provided by Sections 6, 12 and 126 of our law,” he said.
The NASUBEB chairman also raised alarm over the discovery of thousands of qualified teachers who had manoeuvred their way into LGA offices instead of classrooms, leaving pupils unattended.
“We redeployed 1,900 teachers back to the classroom and we are working to return another 1,000. In Lafia alone, we found over 800 staff in the office without clear roles. We also uncovered cases of double employment and over-promotion,” he stated.
On teacher truancy, Dr Kasim cited schools where no teacher was present during class hours. He confirmed that erring head teachers and teachers were punished, redeployed, or demoted.
“When I visited a school in Kurumi, Kokona LGA, I stood there for an hour—no single teacher was on duty. All of them were sanctioned. Another headmaster in Lafia was demoted and transferred for abandoning duty,” he said.
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He lamented the role of community collaborators in the vandalism of school facilities.
“Those vandalising our schools are our own people. We also know those buying the stolen items. They break the chairs and windows into pieces to avoid identification. Such people are enemies of Nasarawa State,” he said.
Dr Kasim disclosed that nine contracts had been revoked after the project monitoring committee discovered abandoned and substandard works, adding that the amount saved will be announced by the governor during the summit.
He insisted that teachers must recommit to professionalism, especially in lesson planning, curriculum delivery, and ethical conduct.
“Teaching is not a job you take because you have no alternative. If you destroy the future of a child, you destroy the nation. Teachers must follow the sequence of learning and adhere strictly to lesson plans,” he said.
Dr Kasim called on traditional rulers, politicians, private sector players, and community leaders to support the board’s “Project AE — Leave No Child Behind” initiative.
“Education for all is the responsibility of all. We are inviting all stakeholders, including Fulanis and religious leaders, because the law mandates us to arrest any child found loitering during school hours and prosecute the parents,” he said.
He added that sensitisation would precede enforcement of the compulsory schooling law across the state.
“After sensitising the public with the newly purchased vehicles, we will fully implement the law so that Nasarawa can enjoy free and compulsory education as intended,” he said.
Dr Kasim emphasised that the summit will bring together experts, including guest speaker Prof Tony Oredia, as well as traditional rulers and stakeholders, to generate practical solutions to the state’s education challenges.
