The Yobe government says it has constructed and rehabilitated more than 627 schools in rural communities and employed 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff to strengthen basic and secondary education.

Governor Mai Mala Buni disclosed this on Wednesday when he received a high-powered delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on a courtesy visit to Damaturu.

The IsDB and the state have concluded arrangements to partner to enhance and upgrade educational infrastructure.

Mr Buni, represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana, said the interventions were part of his administration’s deliberate efforts to revive the education sector, particularly in rural and insurgency-affected communities.

He said the state had embarked on comprehensive reforms to address the destruction of schools and the displacement of thousands of children caused by insurgency.

According to him, the government had also established new models and mega schools, as well as government girls’ day secondary schools, to expand access to quality education.

He added that the administration had equally constructed classrooms, laboratories, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres, hostels and other facilities.

The governor said teaching and learning materials had also been provided to primary and tertiary institutions to improve the learning environment.

Mr Buni described the SmartEdu Project as a timely intervention that would enhance the quality of education, improve digital infrastructure, construct new schools and address the challenge of out-of-school children.

He said the initiative would also help tackle illiteracy, reduce poverty and expand educational opportunities for vulnerable children.

Mr Buni assured the delegation that the state government would ensure that the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) was adequately equipped to guarantee accountability, timely delivery and compliance with the project’s objectives and the bank’s requirements.

Earlier, the delegation leader, Imtiaz Alam, commended the state government for taking proactive measures to ensure the smooth implementation of the proposed project.

He said the project would also be implemented in Jigawa and Niger under the coordination and supervision of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

(NAN)