Nigerian leaders have abandoned public schools - El-Rufai

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state recently said in Zaria that a survey conducted by the government revealed that Nigerian leaders who were trained in public schools have abandoned such schools. The governor said that this has led to the collapse of public education in Nigeria generally.

The governor stated this at the 25th annual general meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA). He referred to the situation as being unfortunate.

He stated: “Why is it that in the last 30 years or so various governments, both military and civilian, have failed to invest in education? How come all of us that were quality products of public education somehow abandoned it? How many of us have enough confidence in our public school system to send our children there?”

He said his government has decided to make a difference in the state. El-Rufai remarked: “We collectively took a decision that no matter what it takes, no matter what it costs, we will restore good public education.”

Professor Idris Abdulkadir, the chairman, ZEDA board of trustees, in his listing of the organisation's achievements in the last 25 years, mentioned the establishment of 100-seater capacity digital training centre, development of infrastructure, and the training of over 5,000 youths on various vocations.

Meanwhile.Kaduna wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers had called off the indefinite strike action embarked upon.

The chairman of the union in Kaduna state, Comrade Audu T. Amba, disclosed this on Thursday, January 18, shortly after an emergency meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) which was held at the teachers end well hotel in the state.