The Nasarawa State Government has announced that education is now compulsory for all school-age children in the state, and parents who fail to send their children to school will face punishment.
The new Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Kassim Muhammed-Kassim, made this known on Wednesday while addressing staff and stakeholders shortly after his inauguration by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
He said that basic education in the state is free and compulsory, and every child has the right to be in school.
“Sending your children to school is no longer a choice, but compulsory. Failure to do so is an offence,” he said.
He also warned that any parent or guardian who does not enrol their child in school will be fined.
“Any parent who fails to send his child to school must be fined. Education in Nasarawa must not only be free but compulsory,” he added.
Muhammed-Kassim promised to tackle the issue of out-of-school children, especially the Almajiri, by enrolling them in schools to ensure they get basic education.
He said the board will focus more on improving learning conditions for pupils instead of only awarding contracts.
“We will shift attention from SUBEB contracts to other areas that will benefit the people and our staff. No parent should deny a child the right to education which can unlock their full potential,” he stated.
Earlier, while swearing in the new board members at the Government House in Lafia, Governor Abdullahi Sule said his government is serious about improving education in the state.
“Since our assumption of office in May 2019, we have continued to give high priority to the education sector, especially basic education,” Governor Sule said.
“Basic education is the foundation for an equal society, and we must continue to work towards improving primary and junior secondary schools,” he added.
The governor also directed the new SUBEB chairman to review the number of teachers in the system and employ more hands where needed.
Governor Sule also inaugurated members of the State Local Government Service Commission during the event.
