By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has warned that any private school that fails to comply with the directive to provide accurate and reliable data for this year’s Annual School Census (ASC) will be shut down permanently.
The State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, gave the warning during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on the dissemination of the State Education Strategic Plan (SESP) and the 2024/2025 Annual School Census.
The event took place at the Medical and Health Workers Secretariat, Bauchi.
He said the exercise is aimed at generating accurate data to support effective planning and policy implementation in the education sector across Bauchi State.
The commissioner also dismissed rumours that private schools providing accurate information would be subjected to additional government taxes or revenue payments. He said this is not the intention of the state government.
Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim explained that the Annual School Census remains a critical tool for collecting credible information on schools, enrollment, infrastructure, teachers and learning facilities.
According to him, the data will enable the government to make informed decisions and improve service delivery across the education sector.
The Commissioner stressed that the state government is determined to ensure that no school is left behind in the exercise, noting that both public and private schools have important roles to play in providing quality education.
He urged school proprietors and managers to provide accurate and timely information to school census officials.
The Commissioner also described the State Education Strategic Plan as a roadmap for achieving sustainable development in education, adding that the document outlines key priorities and strategies for improving access, quality and learning outcomes across the state.
In her presentation on the State Education Strategic Plan (SESP) 2024–2030: Vision, Priorities and Strategic Objectives, the UNICEF Focal Officer at the Education Headquarters, Hajiya Sa’adatu Usman, explained that the framework is a ten-year strategic plan designed to provide equal opportunities for both boys and girls to acquire western education without hindrance.
She said the SESP and ASC would assist the Bauchi State Government in taking proactive measures and sustaining investments in the education sector.
Hajiya Sa’adatu Usman added that the ten-year strategic plan would be shared with all Education Secretaries across Bauchi State for further dissemination to their respective communities to ensure effective implementation.
The UNICEF Focal Person said the one-day stakeholders’ engagement on the dissemination of the 2024/2025 Annual School Census and the State Education Strategic Plan was organized by the State Ministry of Education in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
She expressed confidence that the collaboration between UNICEF and the State Ministry of Education would contribute to the successful implementation of both the Strategic Plan and the Annual School Census.
In their contributory remarks, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, represented by the Dan Kaden Bauchi, Alh. Mahmoud Yakubu, the UBEC Zonal Director, Mallam Abdullahi Jarma, Charity Solomon of the Young Leaders Network, and other stakeholders commended UNICEF and the State Ministry of Education for their unwavering commitment to strengthening the education sector in Bauchi State.
The stakeholders’ engagement brought together Education Secretaries, the Bauchi State Agency for Mass Education (BASAME), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the NOMADIC, the Association of Private Schools and the Association of Modern Islamic Schools.
The participants reviewed the objectives of the State Education Strategic Plan and the Annual School Census, while reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that will strengthen education planning, development and shape a brighter future for the younger generation.