Stakeholders in the education sector in Shongom and Kaltungo Local Government Areas have been tasked with the responsibility of protecting and preserving infrastructural facilities provided in all government schools.
The Chairman of the Investigation Committee on the Vandalisation of School Facilities in the state, Malam Aliyu Kamara, made this call while leading members of the committee on an advocacy visit to the Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Mohammed. He reiterated the government’s concern over reported cases of vandalisation of school facilities by criminally minded individuals.
Malam Aliyu Kamara explained that the constitution of the committee was not a witch-hunt, but rather an effort to investigate cases of vandalisation, identify perpetrators, and recommend appropriate sanctions that would serve as a deterrent to offenders.
He noted that the government is investing heavily to ensure that education is not only available but also accessible and affordable to citizens, describing acts of vandalisation by selfish elements as unacceptable and a form of sabotage.
Responding, the Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Mohammed, commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the foresight in constituting the committee, describing the initiative as timely.
He stated that although there are few or no cases of school vandalisation in the chiefdom, the committee’s visit serves as a wake-up call for communities to collectively protect and preserve school facilities and other infrastructure provided by the government for the benefit of the people.
The committee also paid a similar advocacy visit to the palace of the Mai Tula, Alhaji Abubakar Atare Buba.
Receiving the committee, the Mai Tula appreciated Governor Inuwa Yahaya for declaring a state of emergency in the education sector and for constituting a committee to ensure that facilities provided in schools serve the purposes for which they were meant.
Alhaji Abubakar Atare Buba further stated that the people of Tula, having recognised the value and benefits of education, remain committed to supporting government efforts to improve the teaching and learning environment in schools.
Earlier, the committee held a robust interactive session with stakeholders at the Shongom Local Government Secretariat, where issues of vandalisation of school facilities were discussed and suggestions proffered on ways to address the challenge.
The Deputy Chairman of the council, Mr. Ambros Amis, who stood in for the Chairperson, reaffirmed the council’s cooperation and support for the committee, describing the intervention as timely and necessary.
JD
