The Borno government says it has gone far in addressing the problem of out-of-school children by reducing the number in the state from over two million to 800,000.

Mr Zulum disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at the inauguration of 27 Local Government Education Secretaries and the distribution of 57 school monitoring vehicles.

“Since assuming office in 2019, education has been a paramount focus of my administration. Initially, our efforts were directed towards rebuilding our devastated school infrastructure to provide access to over two million out-of-school children in Borno.

“I am grateful that, by the grace of Allah, the number of out-of-school children has now decreased to less than 800,000,” Mr Zulum said.

The governor said the vehicles inaugurated for the Local Government Education Authorities are to enhance mobility and effective monitoring, adding that the vehicles must be used strictly for official purposes by authorised drivers.

He directed the commissioner for education to provide quarterly reports on the performance of each education secretary, warning that anyone performing below expectation would be replaced.

(NAN)