A 2-day meeting organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and facilitated by the National Institute for Education Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Ondo, for the validation and dissemination of State Education Strategic Plan (SESP) and State Education Strategic Operation Plan (SESOP) for years 2024 – 2026 has ended with a call on the government to ensure proper implementation of the documents.

Speaking while declaring the meeting closed on Saturday, Dr. Sunday Adegbesan, UNICEF Desk Officer and Technical Officer at NIEPA, said that the 2-day validation and dissemination meeting was funded by UNICEF, NIEPA, and the Ministry of Education, Bauchi State.

According to him, “We have achieved a significant milestone by validating the necessary data and disseminating the Bauchi State Education Strategic Plan (SESP) and Operational Plan (SESOP) to all relevant state actors, under the able leadership of the Commissioner of Education Dr Jamila Dahiru and other dignitaries of bauchi state government; the Chairman, House Committee on Education, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Bauchi state.”

He stressed that “The implementation of these plans is crucial to the development of Education in Bauchi State. I urge the Ministry to establish a monitoring committee to oversee the full implementation of these plans, ensuring the achievement of their objectives.”

“Let us continue to work together to transform the education landscape in Bauchi State. I express my sincere gratitude to UNICEF, NIEPA, the Ministry of Education, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support and collaboration,” he added.

Sunday Adegbesan expressed optimism saying, “Together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of Education in Bauchi State. Thank you all.”

Also speaking, representatives of UNICEF, Bauchi Field Office, Raphael Aiyedipe stressed the importance of planning in the education sector stressing that it is the main driver of achieving set objectives.

He urged the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies that attended the meeting to ensure that the plans as contained in the documents were systematically implemented assuring that UNICEF will always offer technical support.

In her remarks, UNICEF Focal Person in the Ministry, Hajiya Sa’a Usman commended UNICEF for providing funding support for the success of the meeting just as She commended NIEPA for the facilitation.

The UNICEF Focal Person also commended the participants for making useful contributions during the 2 days of the meeting which She said was a huge success and particularly recognised the efforts of the Commissioner, Dr Jamila Dahiru who in spite of her tight schedules found time to attend and made contributions.

Sa’a Usman then gave assurance that the validated and disseminated documents would be fully implemented for the good of the State’s education sector.

Some of the participants at the meeting expressed optimism that if finally adopted by the State Government and systematically implemented, the narrative of Education sector in the state in the next 10 years will be better.

The meeting was attended by officials from Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Regional Cooperation, SUBEB, Nomadic Education Commission, State House of Assembly, BASAME, and other education-related agencies.