Governor Dauda Lawal on Wednesday signed four executive orders to strengthen Zamfara’s education sector, assuring that they would improve governance, sustainable funding, enhance school safety, and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms.

Mr Lawal, while signing the documents in the government house, Gusau, also adopted nine education policies and new secondary school curricula for the state.

He said the new policies would be backed by a system of rewards for outstanding performance and sanctions for negligence.

The governor advised stakeholders to safeguard investments in the education sector for the benefit of the young ones.

Speaking at the event,  Abdulmalik Gajam, the commissioner for education, science, and technology, said the first executive order provides for the adoption and implementation of critical education policies to serve as binding government policies for all public schools.

Mr Gajam explained that the order establishes a unified framework covering school administration, feeding programmes, transportation, safety, health services, examinations, leadership, and inclusive education, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

According to him, the order also mandates coordinated implementation, monitoring, and enforcement by all education institutions and relevant agencies.

The commissioner said the second executive order establishes a sustainable financing framework for senior secondary education through an education intervention fund to be supported by the state government, local government education authorities, and development partners.

He noted that the order outlines funding sources, expenditure priorities, and transparent allocation mechanisms to improve school infrastructure, teaching quality, security, and learning outcomes.

On the third executive order, the commissioner said it is designed to protect public educational institutions by safeguarding school lands, facilities, and government educational assets against encroachment, illegal occupation, misuse, and unauthorised commercial activities.

He said the order would strengthen school health services, enhance security, and provide enforcement mechanisms to preserve public investment in education.

Mr Gajam explained that the fourth executive order introduces a statewide school classification and accreditation system based on measurable standards for infrastructure, quality, safety, and governance.

He said the framework categorises schools into Tier A, B, and C, linking school assessments to planning, resource allocation, quality assurance, and accountability across the public education system.

The commissioner announced the rollout of comprehensive curricula for senior secondary schools, covering all subjects from JSS1 to SS3, including 37 senior secondary subjects and 18 technical and vocational courses.

He said the curriculum documents, policy manuals, and operational guidelines would be distributed to principals through zonal coordinators and the State Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB).

The commissioner said school principals would be required to sign undertakings accepting responsibility for government assets under their care.

He, however, warned against loss or misuse of educational resources, a situation he said would attract appropriate sanction.

(NAN)