Bauchi

By Umar Idris Shuaibu Pupils of Kondawa Nomadic School in Jama’are Local Government Area of Bauchi State have received school uniforms, learning materials and additional teaching support following concerns over the deteriorating condition of the rural learning facility. The intervention was carried out on Thursday by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), which also recruited three teachers to address staffing shortages affecting the school. The initiative formed part of efforts aimed at improving access to education in hard-to-reach rural communities, particularly among Fulani nomadic populations. Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director of CITAD, Y. Z. Ya’u, represented by Isah Garba, said the organisation considered education a critical tool for addressing social challenges and reducing vulnerability among children in underserved communities. According to him, encouraging enrolment and sustained attendance among nomadic pupils requires the provision of basic learning materials capable of easing the burden on parents. Read Also: Former APC National Chairman Ganduje Embarks on Hajj Pilgrimage CITAD Distributes School Materials to Nomadic Pupils in Kano, Urges Increased Govt Intervention Lere: A Historic Fulani Settlement and Cultural Crossroads in Kaduna “We supported the pupils with 100 school uniforms today as part of efforts to encourage learning and school attendance,” he said. Ya’u noted that lack of education continues to contribute to insecurity and social instability in many rural areas, stressing that investment in education remains essential to building peaceful and productive communities. He explained that the intervention at Kondawa Nomadic School was part of broader efforts to support rural and nomadic education across Northern Nigeria. The organisation, he said, had earlier intervened in Shara community in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State, where prolonged absence of a primary school reportedly prompted advocacy efforts that later contributed to the establishment of a public school in the area. He also referenced a recent intervention at Bakin Kamanda Nomadic School in Dansoshiya community of Kiru Local Government Area, where uniforms and learning materials were distributed to pupils. Speaking at the event, the Education Secretary of Jama’are Local Government Area, Malam Shuaibu Umar, described the intervention as timely and urged the newly recruited teachers to remain committed to their duties. “We task the newly recruited teachers to uphold their responsibilities and contribute effectively toward improving learning outcomes in the school,” he said. He commended the intervention for complementing government efforts toward improving education in nomadic communities, noting that the initiative would help strengthen enrolment and improve academic participation among children in the area. Also speaking, the Emir of Jama’are, Nuhu Ahmad Wabi, represented by the District Head of Gilar and Gongo, Alhaji Wada, praised the support for education within the emirate and other parts of Northern Nigeria. The traditional institution further called on local and international non-governmental organisations to expand educational and humanitarian interventions targeting rural communities. The school, established about eight years ago by the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), was designed to cater for more than 100 pupils but reportedly became largely non-functional due to severe infrastructural decay and shortage of teachers. Findings revealed that the school had been operating with only one teacher handling academic activities, while collapsed walls, damaged roofs, vandalised classrooms and overgrown surroundings had continued to discourage learning activities and force many pupils back into grazing and farming activities.

The Bauchi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all schools across the state following rising security threats and recent attacks that have led to the abduction of students in several parts of the country. The directive affects all primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, including federal government–owned and private schools. The government said the move became necessary to forestall any unforeseen circumstances and protect the lives of students and staff. The decision was announced in a statement issued on Sunday night by the Information and Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, Jalaludeen Usman, titled: “Temporary Closure of All Schools in Bauchi State Due to Security Concerns.” Read Also: Tinubu Orders Police Officers Off VIP Duty, Onto Streets as 30,000 Recruitment Begins President Tinubu Confirms Rescue of 38 Kwara Worshippers, 51 Niger Schoolchildren According to the statement, the government reached the decision after wide consultations and in response to “overwhelming security concerns” nationwide. “This decision, though difficult, was taken by the Government of Bauchi State after extensive consultations and in response to the prevailing security challenges affecting the safety of students, teachers, and school communities across the state,” the statement read. The government acknowledged that the closure may cause inconvenience but stressed that the safety of children remains its highest priority. “The protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility. Every student in Bauchi State deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, stable, and free of fear,” it added. Parents, guardians, school proprietors, and stakeholders were urged to remain calm and cooperate with authorities. The government assured that it is working closely with security agencies to address the situation and will reopen the schools once it is safe to do so. Citizens were also encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. “If you see something, say something. Timely information is crucial in safeguarding our communities,” the statement said.