by Evangeline Anumba | The Sun
The Executive Chairman, Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Shettima Bukar Kullima yesterday disclosed that over 512 schools in Borno have been destroyed and 350 Teachers Deceased because of the continuous Boko Haram attack in the state over the years.
According to him, when the alarming number is translated into classrooms, the terrorist group has destroyed over 1000 classrooms, destroyed instructional materials for schools. He however could not attest to the number of children deceased or missing, as most of the areas are still occupied by Boko Haram and cannot be accessed.
Speaking after the opening ceremony of the 14th quarterly meeting of Universal Basic Education (UBEC) with Executive Chairman of state UBEBs in Nigeria, in Abuja, he said although schools are functioning in few peaceful areas and within the Internally Displaced Camps (IDP), the state is aggressively pursuing the construction of schools.
“Boko Haram insurgency have afflicted the basic education delivery in Borno State.
The terrorists have destroyed not fewer then 512 schools, when you translate this to classrooms, it is over 1000 classrooms. In addition, they also killed 350 teachers. The number of children are yet to be accounted for because most of the areas that are still under the occupation of Boko Haram are not safe for us to go into and take a head count. It is quite impossible.”
“In most of the peaceful areas, particularly Maidugri, Jere, Shani, Hawul, Bayo, Kwayo Kusar, schooling is going on there. Within Maiduguri and IDP camps, schools are functioning. The state government is aggressively pursuing the construction of schools. We are yet to get support from anywhere else. We are worse than conquered territory, so because of that only the state government is shouldering all the responsibilities.”
“As for books, we’ve got all the books that are being distributed but then the vandals are destroying the schools along with instructional materials. The few areas that are functioning have textbooks, although most of them are at variance with the curriculum that is being practised.”
The Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dikko Suleiman, delivering his speech noted that the board is mindful of the drawback basic education has suffered as a result of the insurgency and other issues, but UBEC will cater for their needs with a new education strategy.
“We are not oblivious to the drawback basic education has suffered as a result of the insurgency in some parts of the country, including communal crises, industrial disputes and national disasters, especially floods, which lead to the closure of schools for either security reasons or to serve as camps for displaced people…
“In this regard, a new education strategy has been developed by UBEC which will cater for the needs of these areas.”
