Gov Fintiri’s Significant Efforts In Reforming Education Sector In Adamawa

This Opinion emphasizes the noteworthy efforts made by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Nigeria, to reform the education system.

The Adamawa State education system had several difficulties before Governor Fintiri’s leadership, such as a dearth of funds, poor facilities, and high rates of out-of-school youth. Governor Fintiri prioritized education after realizing its critical role in growth and carried out several programs with notable results.

Governor Fintiri knows the importance of public education from personal experience as a product of the system. As a well-educated, bright, energetic, and former grassroots politician who attended college, he possesses degrees in both policy and strategic studies and history, showcasing his dedication to learning and strategic thinking. He also recognizes the importance of education for the socioeconomic advancement of society.

So, in addition to making education the second most important objective of his administration after security, he also made education the focal point of all of his administration’s policies and initiatives. This led him to decide to heavily invest in the education sector to revive Adamawa.

Principal Projects and Results:

• Free Education: By removing budgetary constraints, the administration increased enrolment dramatically by introducing free basic education throughout the state.

• School Feeding Program: To ensure better nutrition and enhanced learning results, school feeding for boarding students has been reinstated.

• Teacher Support: To improve teacher quality and retention, 2,000 new teachers were hired, training was given, and the retirement age for science instructors was raised.

• Infrastructure Development: In each of the 21 local government districts, comprehensive “mega” secondary schools have been built, along with model elementary, junior secondary, and nursery schools. This program increases access to high-quality education while addressing infrastructure needs.

• Exams & Scholarships: To relieve financial strain and encourage higher education attainment, scholarships were awarded to tertiary students and WAEC/NECO fees were covered for final-year students.

• Technology Integration: Acquired science apparatus and transportable labs to improve STEM teaching and analytical abilities.

• University Development: expanded facilities and academic offerings by building lecture halls at Adamawa State University and approving the College of Legal Studies’ conversion to a Faculty of Law.

These efforts have had outstanding outcomes:

• Infrastructure development

• Human capital development

• Enhanced STEM education

• Increased access to education

• Promotion of equity and inclusion

The budget for Governor Fintiri’s 2024 promotes development throughout Adamawa. He has pledged to set aside more than a billion Naira for initiatives in each of the 21 local government districts, including the building of mega and model schools. This action demonstrates his commitment to keeping his campaign pledges and encouraging inclusivity outside of the state capital.
Nonetheless, some contend that the renovation of current educational facilities and skill-training institutes should take precedence. It is imperative to acknowledge this worry, but also to emphasize that the Governor has already put well-thought-out plans into action for these places. The new initiatives seek to increase young people’s access to high-quality education and provide them with the necessary skills, both of which will support Adamawa State’s long-term growth.

Governor Fintiri’s strategy is centred on a two-pronged approach: preserving the current school infrastructure while simultaneously building new ones according to distribution and needs. This increases capacity for the future while guaranteeing immediate improvements. In addition, the state aggressively seeks new instructors and offers continuing professional development to current educators to improve their welfare and quality, which will ultimately lead to a rise in student enrollment and address the issue of children who are not in school.

Governor Fintiri has received praise from around the country for her work, including the Business Day Newspaper’s “Best Governor on Educational Development” award.
This all-encompassing strategy for school reform is changing the educational environment in Adamawa State. Through the allocation of funds towards infrastructure, education, technology, and accessibility, Governor Fintiri is establishing the groundwork for a more promising future for the state’s youth and general progress.

Source: Allschoolabs, Nairaland