Gombe to build 110 standard libraries in schools across state

The Gombe State Government will spend N333, 000, 000 on the construction of 110 standard libraries in schools across the state.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya disclosed this at the commissioning of a library at the Jekadafari Primary School, Gombe and the distribution of motorcycles, instructional materials and sports facilities to schools across the state.

Director-General, Press Affairs of the Gombe State Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli, in a statement, said the governor was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi.

The governor said his administration inherited huge challenges in the education sector with Gombe ranked 34th out of 36 states in the federation in external examinations.

He said this prompted his administration to immediately declare a state of emergency in the sector, particularly at the basic level in order to salvage it from total collapse.

“The establishment of primary school libraries is yet another bold step in the right direction towards addressing the challenges inherent in basic education. The importance of a library as a foundation for pupils/ students’ self-motivation cannot be over-emphasized as it will greatly enhance learning in schools across the state.

“To this end and considering the importance of a library as the fastest growing means for inducing selfmotivation in learning, the state Ministry of Education, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will undertake the construction of 110 standard libraries across the state at the total cost of N333,000,000 in the first phase,” he said.

The governor directed education secretaries and head teachers in the state to include library period of at least 80 minutes per week in their school timetable to enable students and pupils read on their own under the guidance of a trained librarian.

“Government has also noted with delight the prompt procurement of 31 additional motorcycles in order to enhance monitoring of schools by quality assurance officers in all the eleven local government areas. “Similarly, the provision of instructional materials and sports equipment worth over 85 million naira to schools is highly commendable,” he added.

Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Hon. Babaji Babadidi, said as part of measures to improve the education sector in the state, the administration of Governor Yahaya had carried out sweeping reforms in the state, especially at the basic level.

He said the commissioning ceremony was yet another bold step by the Inuwa Yahaya’s administration towards injecting new techniques that would guarantee the desired quality in education following the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector by the present administration.