NEDC Reaffirms Commitment to Rebuild North-East Education System

The Managing Director of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Alkali, has reiterated the commission’s commitment to restoring the education sector in the North-East region, which has faced significant challenges due to over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency and recurrent attacks on schools.

Mr Alkali made the statement in Maiduguri on Saturday during the closing ceremony of a two-week train-the-trainers workshop held for 100 Tsangaya and Islamiyya teachers in Borno State.

He explained that the initiative was launched in response to ongoing security challenges and forms part of a comprehensive strategy to rehabilitate and reposition the region’s educational infrastructure.

The programme is set to extend to all six states within the region, with a second phase already in progress.

Participants in the training will receive starter packs to aid implementation and ensure the continuity of the programme, Mr Alkali added.

He further revealed that the NEDC is collaborating closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to address the high rate of out-of-school children in the region. This effort aligns with the commission’s master plan, which aims to improve access to quality education and raise literacy levels.

In addition to teacher training, the NEDC is investing in school infrastructure, providing learning materials, offering scholarships, and forging strategic partnerships to revitalise the education sector.

Mr Alkali emphasised that the overarching objective is to enhance the quality of education through a multi-faceted approach, engaging stakeholders to restore educational standards across the North-East.

Speaking at the event, Musa Umar Yashi, the NEDC’s Executive Director of Humanitarian Affairs, underscored the importance of investing in human capital, particularly through skill acquisition for Almajiris, as a means to promote peaceful coexistence and stimulate socio-economic activities in the region.

Mr Yashi lamented the longstanding marginalisation of Almajiris and their lack of access to essential government support, calling for more inclusive interventions.

He praised the resilience of the people in the North-East, recognising the sacrifices made by communities in states such as Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe.

Mr Yashi also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support, as well as to the Nigerian Arabic Language Village for its contributions towards improving the lives of Alarammas and Almajiris.

He concluded by urging deeper collaboration with all stakeholders to foster peace and sustainable development in the North-East.