Plateau: Quest to restore standard in schools paying off
In his quest to restore the falling standards of education in Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang ensured the distribution of teaching and learning materials aimed at strengthening education and promoting
In his quest to restore the falling standards of education in Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang ensured the distribution of teaching and learning materials aimed at strengthening education and promoting academic excellence across the state, KOLADE ADEYEMI, Jos reports.
The recent event in Plateau State, where the Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, flagged off the distribution of 143,931 textbooks, 6,675 school bags, 6,675 pairs of school sandals, pencils, and exercise books to pupils was a deliberate action to strengthen teaching and learning across public primary schools in the state. It also marked the gradual restoration of high standards to the primary and secondary levels of education.
It’s a restoration because the standard of education at that basic level has nosedived over the years. The state used to be rated the best in the northern region, and also the second best in 36 states of the federation. The rapid decline in education in the state as of 2023 when the incumbent Mutfwang took over obviously calls for a declaration of a state of emergency in the sector. The governor only ran short of doing so because he had already declared a state of emergency on the environment and urban development of the state. Mutfwang declared a state of emergency on sanitation, urban planning, and security in Jos, the state capital, rather than education.
A teacher in LGA Primary school in Dogon Dutse, Daniel Azi, said: “I have been a teacher for the past 15 years, so I can confidently tell the situations of things when this governor came in 2023. This government came in when the entire education was in bad state, especially the primary schools. We teachers were on strike when the government took over, due to unpaid salary arrears, inadequate office accommodation with several departments operating outside the board’s headquarters, broken operational vehicles, and dilapidated school infrastructure as well as lack of basic furniture. But since the governor came in, things have changed for good. Now, our salary is up-to-date, and physical infrastructure has improved in our schools across the state.”
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However, the administration took significant steps and targeted action to revamp the education sector by focusing on improving public education, including infrastructure development, teacher welfare, and the provision of instructional materials. The administration has been active in addressing the sector, including addressing the collapse of a school building in 2024 and taking proactive security measures to close schools during security threats.
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The governor revealed his vision for basic education when he visited the Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in 2023. He said: “It’s my earnest desire to provide quality education that nurtures and empowers young, underprivileged children to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
He expressed concern over the increasing rate of school dropout among male pupils in the state during the inauguration of a newly built administrative block and the flag-off of the distribution of teaching and learning in 2024.
Chairman Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board Sunday Amuna said: “It was obvious that the standard of education in the state declined considerably before the coming of this administration, to a level that any concerned leader will not waste time to declare a state of emergency in the sector. This was meant to draw serious attention towards raising the standard and prevent it from falling completely. Plateau used to come top in education in the northern region in the past, and second best in the entire country. So, the efforts by the current administration is how to restore those glorious days, especially at the primary and secondary levels of education.
“That was why the governor focused on paying the counterpart funds to the UBE commission to enable the state to get its matching grant as required. Before Governor Mutfwang came, we had outstanding funds to clear. The governor had graciously cleared the backlog and now we are up to date. This government did well by giving priority attention to training and retracing of teachers. As it is today, Plateau cannot be rated low anymore because of the huge investment by the current administration. We have not achieved the maximum, but we have made tremendous impact. It is our hope that before the end of his four years, Plateau will have the best in the northern region”.
Few days ago, pupils in Jos, the Plateau State capital, were filled with excitement as Mutfwang flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials aimed at strengthening education and promoting academic excellence across the state.
At the event, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising public education, declaring that his government is determined to restore confidence in public schools and significantly improve learning outcomes.
The governor made the pledge on March 9, 2026, during the official flag-off ceremony for the inauguration and inspection of a newly constructed administrative office block. He also recalled that the education sector in the state faced significant challenges when his administration assumed office in 2023. He, however, emphasised that deliberate reforms and sustained investments are already changing the narrative.
“We made up our minds from the onset that we must get public education right. If public education is not right, we cannot claim that education is right,” the governor stated.
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He expressed optimism that ongoing reforms in infrastructure development, teacher welfare, training, and the provision of instructional materials would restore the state’s reputation as a destination for quality education.
“I want to pledge to the people of Plateau State that, by the grace of God, by the time we exit office, public schools will become schools of first choice for parents,” he added.
Mutfwang also decorated pupils who distinguished themselves in national and international sporting competitions, describing their achievements as a source of pride and inspiration for Plateau State. He urged education managers to nurture the talents of young learners through structured sports development programmes.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Plateau SUBEB disclosed that the board inherited numerous challenges upon assumption of office in July 2023, including industrial disputes arising from unpaid salary arrears, inadequate office accommodation, broken-down operational vehicles, and deteriorating school infrastructure.
He noted that the progress recorded so far was made possible through the support of the Plateau State Government and the successful access to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart funding.
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“Through your visionary leadership and deliberate policy direction, the narrative has changed remarkably,” Amuna said. He explained that the board has so far constructed 397 classrooms, renovated 557 classrooms, drilled 33 motorized boreholes, and supplied furniture for thousands of pupils across schools in the state”.
Amuna further revealed that the newly-inaugurated administrative block, which houses 19 offices and eight toilets, was completed using the board’s overhead allocations and is fully powered by solar energy.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kachollom Gang, described the inauguration of the office block, the decoration of outstanding pupils, and the distribution of learning materials as a significant milestone in strengthening the education sector in Plateau State. She noted that the provision of teaching and learning materials underscores the government’s commitment to improving the quality of instruction in schools.
“The presentation of teaching and learning materials underscores the government’s dedication to improving the quality of instruction in our schools. These resources will enable teachers to deliver lessons more effectively while stimulating students’ interest in learning,” she said.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, the North Central Zonal Director, Elder Edward Abalaka, commended the state government for prioritising basic education and consistently paying the required counterpart funds to access federal interventions.
He stressed the importance of the proper utilisation of the materials, noting that the fight against illiteracy can only be effectively won through access to knowledge supported by relevant teaching and learning resources. The event featured the distribution of 143,931 textbooks, 6,675 school bags, 6,675 pairs of school sandals, pencils, and exercise books to strengthen teaching and learning across public primary schools in Plateau State.
