The Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board says it has earmarked N1 billion to be disbursed as loans to primary and secondary school teachers to pursue higher education.

Its executive secretary, Yaya Ibrahim, disclosed this on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Mr Ibrahim disclosed this on the sideline of the 2nd Annual National Conference, 2024, organised by the National Teachers’ Institute.

He said, “I have observed that most teachers in the state have NCE and first degrees, and they are often reluctant to further their education. That’s why the board floated a loan scheme to enable them to pursue higher education across Nigeria.

“We are also in talks with some foreign institutions to see the possibility of sending more teachers to further their education.”

Mr Ibrahim said that the gesture was to bolster the quality of teaching and learning in Kaduna.

The executive secretary also stated that the board has sent at least 50 female students abroad to study cybercrimes and other ICT-related courses.

He said, “These bold moves will be sustained to change the negative narratives of education in Kaduna state. We have also introduced skills acquisition training for pupils in primary schools to make them more self-reliant in the future.”

Mr Ibrahim commended NTI for organising the conference, saying, “We will collaborate with it and train more teachers.”

(NAN)