Zaria's Rich Educational Heritage Continue To Be A Source Of Pride And Insprition -- Speaker Abbas
BY SANI ALIYU, Zaria
The Speaker House of Representatives Dr. Tajudeen Abbas has said Zaria’s rich educational heritage, which dates back to the 16th century, continues to be a source of pride and inspiration.
He stated this at the 31st and 32nd Annual General Meeting of Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) held at ABU Hotel, Zaria at the weekend.
Speaker Abbas who is the (Iyan Zazzau) said Zaria as the home to Ahmadu Bello University and numerous other institutions, Zaria has contributed immeasurably to the intellectual and professional fabric of Nigeria.
According zo him, Our shared heritage calls upon us to nurture this legacy for future generations. I am delighted to announce several new educational initiatives within my constituency.
These projects include a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a campus of the National Open University of Nigeria, and a College of Legal Studies.
He said once fully established, these institutions promise to extend significant educational and socio-economic benefits to our community.
As we celebrate these advances, we must not overlook the pressing challenges that impede educational progress.
We must address these challenges, especially in the realm of primary and secondary education.
The foundation of any thriving educational system rests upon robust, accessible, and quality basic education. Issues such as out of school children, the needs of children with special needs, and the overall quality of education demand our urgent attention.
The Speaker commend the proactive measures by Governor Uba Sani’s administration in Kaduna State.
Their efforts have notably reduced the number of out of school children through the construction of over 62 new secondary schools, thereby addressing critical infrastructure deficits.
Looking ahead, it is imperative that ZEDA continuously evolves to meet emerging challenges.
"Successful models, such as the United Kingdom Education Development Trust and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, have shown the benefits of embracing digital innovation".
"ZEDA should integrate technology in order to transform how we monitor educational outcomes, facilitate virtual training for teachers, and expand access to learning resources".
By doing so, we can connect stakeholders, streamline processes, and enhance transparency.
" strengthening global partnerships with international educational bodies will allow us to exchange best practices, attract global expertise, and secure funding for innovative projects".
Such collaborations have empowered associations in Europe and Asia to implement cutting edge programmes that respond effectively to contemporary challenges.
It is also essential that ZEDA expands its community engagement. The association must develop robust outreach initiatives that foster mentorship programmes, teacher training workshops, and parent engagement sessions.
This will build a holistic support network that ensures sustainable educational improvements from the grassroots level upward. Diversifying funding streams is critical as well.
By establishing endowment funds or engaging in public private partnerships, we can reduce our reliance on government funding.
Successful models in countries such as Denmark and Ireland have demonstrated that diversified funding can drive long term, sustainable growth in the education sector.
In the House of Representatives, our legislative agenda is aligned with these priorities.
We remain committed to advancing universal basic education, enhancing secondary and technical education, and integrating innovative reforms that address both current and future challenges.
Initiatives such as the National Education Data System and the Student Loan Scheme are integral to our strategy to empower every Nigerian through education.
As we move forward, we must honour the vision of ZEDA’s founding fathers by reinvigorating our association with a renewed sense of purpose and an adaptive strategy that meets the demands of a rapidly changing world. Our collective resolve and proactive collaboration are essential.
They are needed not only to overcome current limitations but also to create a lasting impact on the future of education in our community and beyond.
I thank you for your unwavering support and active participation.
The Speaker look forward to a productive meeting and to the continued success of ZEDA as we chart a course for a brighter future.
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