BY NEWS EDITOR
The Borno State Government has said it will continue reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
This development was announced by the secretary to the state government, SSG Alhaji Bukar Tijjani during the press briefing for the approved 2025 budget, held on Monday at the International Conference Hall, Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.
The N615 billion budget, signed into law by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, includes provisions for education, aimed at increasing access to quality education for all.
According to the SSG, government is committed to reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
The budget includes increased investment in education, with a focus on rebuilding and renovating schools, training teachers, and providing educational materials.
The government also plans to implement programs aimed at encouraging children to stay in school, such as scholarships and incentives for students who excel academically.
The move is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue of out-of-school children in Borno State, which has been exacerbated by the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to UNESCO, Borno State has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Notably, the Borno State government has made significant progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Gov. Zulum recently announced that the number of out-of-school children has decreased from 2.2 million to 700,000, representing a 70% reduction.
This achievement was announced during the inauguration of Government Secondary School Mairi in Maiduguri.
The budget is themed 'Budget of Recovery and Continuity' and prioritizes capital projects focused on resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and refugees.
The budget also addresses security concerns, with enhanced measures to ensure public safety.
Additionally, it allocates funds for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including schools, bridges, roads, and hospitals, which were destroyed by the devastating flood that occurred in September last year.
Alhaji Tijjani, emphasized the importance of education in rebuilding the state.
The budget also includes provisions for other critical sectors, including security, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The government also plans to provide infrastructure to support economic activities, particularly in the energy sector.
In his presentation, Engr. Mustapha Mallumbe reviewed the performance of the 2024 budget, revealing that out of the total approved amount of N419 billion, a total of N403 billion was spent, covering 84% of the approved budget.