By Philip Yatai
Kaduna – The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) on Monday donated computers and other electronic equipment to an NGO, The Open Classroom, to support the organisation’s nomadic education programmes in Kaduna State.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, explained at the presentation of the equipment in Kaduna, that the gesture was part of efforts to support the education of nomadic children.
Bobboyi, who was represented by the commission’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Malam Aliyu Jibril, identified the items to include 20 desktop computers, chairs, tables, generator and solar panels.
He explained that the donation was to assist The Open Classroom to deliver quality education to the Rugan Fulani Community School, established by the NGO along Airport Road, Kaduna.
The Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mrs Dolores Mohammed, explained that The Open Classroom was established in 2005 by Essence International School, Kaduna to provide educational support to children in poor and disadvantaged areas.
She said that the NGO founded the Rugan Fulani Community School in 2006 for the children of a group of Fulani living there, to enable their children access to primary education and elementary skills.
“We have equally concluded plan to expand the school into a vocational training centre to equip the adult with vocational skills.
“The training centre will include a computer training class, a teacher training class, a vocational class for women, sanitary facilities and solar power to provide stable electricity.
“We requested for assistance from UBEC and the commission judiciously donated these equipment for the school computer centre.
“We are grateful for the partnership to educate children and young adult in difficult circumstances. We are confident that the computer centre and equipment will benefit all learners,” he said.
Also speaking, Malam Abdullahi Sani, Executive Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, thanked UBEC and the NGO for the gesture, saying it would change the lives of the children for good.
Sani, who was represented by Malam Aliyu Idris, the board’s Director Schools, Inspection and Monitoring, said that the gesture would go a long way in providing quality education to Fulani children in the state.
“We are very impressed with how you have impacted in the lives of these children who can now spell words and even communicate in English. This is commendable.
“We will continue to partner with you in educating our children particularly those in difficult circumstances,” Sani said.
On his part, Malam Lawal Boro of National Commission for Nomadic Education, also thanked the NGO for supporting the state to provide quality education to nomadic children in the state.
