By Patience Yakubu
The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, has commenced the distribution of 170,976 textbooks to 694 public primary schools in six Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The exercise, which was in collaboration with the Kaduna State Ministry of Education and State Basic Education Board (SUBEB), was to improve the quality of learning outcomes in primary schools.
Mr Salim Sadiq, Technical Adviser, Teaching and Learning, PLANE Kaduna, explained during the commencement of the exercise in Kaduna on Wednesday, that the books comprise of literacy, mathematics, and teacher guide.
He explained that the books published in Hausa language, in line with the national policy on education, comprised 13,512 each of primary 1 literacy and mathematics books.
Others are 11,012 each of primary 2 mathematics and literacy books and 59,477 each of primary 3 literacy and mathematics books.
Also to be distributed are 1,487 each of primary 3 literacy and mathematics teacher guides.
Sadiq added that the textbooks would be distributed to six implementing LGAs, namely Soba, Sabon Gari, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Jaba, and Sanga.
He said that a total of 694 cartons of the books would be distributed to the schools: 100 cartons in Jaba, 44 in Kaduna North, and 36 in Kaduna North LGAs.
“Also, 61 cartons will be distributed in Sabon Gari LGA, 190 in Sanga, and 263 cartons in Soba LGAs,” he said.
Sadiq further said that each carton of the textbook has a QR code, scanned at the point of loading and delivery to track the movement of every carton.
This, according to him, is to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process.
He explained that the gesture was to support the Kaduna State Government in providing a solid foundation for primary school pupils.
“The textbooks will ensure that teaching is delivered with expected quality which in the long run will significantly improve learning outcomes.
“The government has identified education as a major pillar in human capital development and as such, we must all work together to ensure that no child is left behind.
“We believe that having the right content is key to educational development in Nigeria. This support will ensure that children in public schools are really learning,” he said.
The Commissioner of Education, Prof. Muhmmed Bello, who flagged the exercise, thanked PLANE for supporting the state to deliver teaching and learning in Hausa language, the predominant speaking language in the state.
According to him, the measure will help to reduce learning poverty in the state, stressing that once a solid foundation is laid, learning will not be a difficult thing for our children.
PLANE is Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, supported programme to deliver inclusive and effective education system in Nigeria.
The goal is to improve learning outcomes for students in pre-primary and primary schools. (NAN)
Edited by Philip Yatai
