Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, has revealed that the state recently recorded a very significant increase in pupil enrollment in its public primary schools following government’s full implementation of the Universal Basic Education policy.

He said his administration had also renewed drive to provide improved learning facilities in the state, disclosing that from the one million figures recorded in 2015, total primary school enrollment in Kaduna State now stands at 2.1 million.

This was one of the various achievements listed by the governor during his courtesy call on the executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi, in Abuja.

Governor el-Rufai, together with the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Andrew Nok, highlighted other achievements of his administration to include the allocation of 35 per cent of the state’s budget to the education sector and renovation of 608 out of the total of the 4,200 primary schools in the state.

He also spoke of a plan to maximise the use of available school space by constructing multi-storey structures in the existing schools, establishment of model schools across the state and other interventions towards improving basic education, especially the improvement of teachers’ quality.

Governor el-Rufai indicated that soon, schools in Kaduna State would have whiteboards instead of the usual blackboards.

The executive secretary, in his response, noted the  strides recorded in UBE delivery in Kaduna State, particularly increased access to basic education, systematic approach to improving school infrastructure and the state’s commitment to quality UBE service delivery.

He urged the state government to continue to exemplify leadership in this direction, noting that Kaduna is known to be the regional capital not only in politics, but also in other human endeavors.

He also pledged UBEC’s continued support to the state within its operational mandates.