How to make public schools functional – Gov. Sani Bello

Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday called for a policy review that will mandate all political office holders to send their children and ward to public schools for the revival and sustenance of the sector.

He also said the public health centres will attain efficiency and relevance when elected and appointed officers patronise them.
The governor made these calls when he hosted President of Children’s Government of Nigeria, Her Excellency Hauwa Musa and other leaders of her administration in Government House Minna.

Gov. Sani Bello blamed the neglect of public schools and health centres over the years to complacency on the part of people in position of authority just because their children and wards don’t attend any of these public facilities.

“It is sad that we have reduced our public schools to the background. This is because the children of the Governors, deputy governors or Commissioners or those in position of authority are not in public schools.

“In our public schools we have instances where they have just one teacher with pupils sitting on the floor or stones to receive lesson. The only way for our public schools to function is for our (political office holders) children to go to these schools. We need to review our public school policy.

“Public schools and public health facilities where common man take solace are in bad shape, government should make them functional and reduce the burden on the people,” the governor advised.

Earlier the President of Children’s Government of Nigeria, Hauwa Musa said her administration would focus on the plight of orphans of the fallen heroes of the country’s military who paid the utmost price defending the country.

To this end, she said her administration would raise funds to sponsor the education of orphans of fallen heroes up to university level, empower their widows and provide medical care for injured military men from war against terrorism.