The All-Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) has awarded Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu the Best Performing Governor Award’, in recognition of his sterling contributions to the development of education in the state, according to a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa.
This, the statement said was revealed by the State Chairman of the association, Muhammed Ikililu, when he led other members of ANCOPSS on a Sallah visit to the governor.
Ikililu highlighted some of the tangible achievements recorded by Aliyu to include the renovation of many secondary and primary schools in the state. He said prior to the coming of the Aliyu-led administration, all secondary schools in the state were in a state of disrepair, lacking conducive classrooms, staff rooms, toilet facilities for both teachers and students.
“This lack of toilet facilities in schools had contributed significantly to the low attendance of female students in schools,” Iklilu added. He also commended the governor for introducing N200,000 monthly cash allocation to all the principals to enable them undertake minor repairs in their schools.
The chairman further thanked the governor for reviewing upward the students’ feeding allowance from N150 to N450 per student. This gesture, he noted, has helped greatly to make students stay in schools.
According to him, these efforts made by Gov. Aliyu had significantly improved the students’ turn out and retention in schools.
Similarly, Aliyu also received the management of the State Universal Basic Education Board under its Chairman, Alhaji Ummaru Na Gwari Tambuwal. The chairman lauded Aliyu’s recent renovation of some primary schools in the state, and the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to primary teachers across the state.
He declared, “Before you came, many of our teachers were denied their promotions ,but that has since become history as all the teachers that are due for promotion have been promoted.” He assured Aliyu of primary school teachers’ support at all times.
Responding, Aliyu called on ANCOPSS and SUBEB to reciprocate the gestures done to them by the present administration. This, according to him, they could do by being punctual, dedicated and committed to their duty.
“I except extra hard work, committment and dedication from you so that our students can get the best of education,” Aliyu appealed. He reassured his administration’s determination to create a conducive atmosphere that would guarantee effective teaching and learning at both basic and secondary levels.
He also appealed to parents and guardians in the state to cooperate with the state government in its quest to change the old narrative of Sokoto being one of the educationally backward states in the federation.
