The Sokoto State Coordinator for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari, has issued a caution to School-Based Management Committees (SBMCS) regarding the adherence to quality standards in school construction projects.
This warning was articulated during a delegation-led assessment of ongoing project sites in the Gwadabawa and Kware local government areas.
Dr Buhari expressed dissatisfaction with certain construction activities related to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at several schools, which were found to violate established specifications.
He highlighted that these projects are part of the School Improvement Grant initiative currently being implemented in 240 schools across 23 local government areas in the state. The success of these projects, he emphasised, is contingent upon the quality of execution and effective coordination.
Dr. Buhari stated that the administration led by Governor Ahmad Aliyu is fully committed to ensuring that all projects and services comply with World Bank standards. He reiterated that all procurement standards must be strictly followed. Consequently, any service providers found to be in breach of specifications will be required to cease activities until they align with the required standards.
He noted that irregularities were identified at Romon Sarki Junior Secondary School and additional locations within the Tambuwal local government area. Immediate actions were taken to halt the work of non-compliant providers until quality assurance measures were implemented.
The Coordinator acknowledged positive outcomes at the Government Girls Day Secondary School, the Women Development and Training Centre in Tambuwal, as well as the Government Day Secondary School Dogon Daji and the Government Day Secondary School Madorawa in the Bodinga local government area.
Dr Buhari pointed out that many of the identified non-compliance issues pertained to the use of substandard materials, inconsistent placement of toilets for male and female students, and inadequate positioning of boreholes and water supply facilities.
He asserted that the project’s overarching goal is to enhance school enrollment by providing appropriate WASH facilities, classrooms, and essential educational resources.
“Children in Nigeria, especially girls, are being faced with challenges preventing them from accessing and completing secondary education due to socio-cultural, financial constraints, and infrastructural deficits.
“The project seeks to tackle the challenges and improve education opportunities in the participating states, to make education more appealing to adolescent girls, parents, and communities,” he said.
The AGILE project comprises three principal components: the creation of safe and accessible learning environments, the fostering of an enabling atmosphere for girls, and the enhancement of project management and system strengthening.
Ruya Fadason, the lead consultant, characterised the inspection tour as a crucial initiative aimed at ensuring the quality execution of projects. He emphasised that all initiatives must adhere to the specifications and modalities established by the World Bank.
Furthermore, Fadason highlighted that the capabilities of School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) members have been enhanced to enable them to effectively manage funds and oversee school renovation and construction activities.
The primary objective of the AGILE project is to improve school enrollment, particularly among adolescent girls, through the provision of scholarships, instructional materials, and enhanced infrastructure within the schools.
In addition, social mobilisation units have engaged religious organisations to disseminate information about the program, thereby fostering greater acceptance and increasing enrollment rates.
The consultant expressed optimism that the infrastructural improvements and educational support provided through the project would lead to higher rates of student enrollment, retention, and completion across all educational levels.
The inspection team conducted visits to schools in the Sokoto South and Sokoto North local government areas, where service providers were instructed to adjust or reconstruct facilities as necessary.
This team included representatives from the All Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), state-level SBMC members, leaders of service providers, officials from the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, members of the Female Education Board, and AGILE project officials.
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