Honourable Commissioner Inspects Kona Primary School, Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Basic Education The Honourable Commissioner for Nursery and Primary Education, Hajiya Fatima Tani Habeeb, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Taraba State Government, under the leadership of the Executive Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to providing every child with access to quality and affordable basic education. The Commissioner made this commitment during an inspection visit to Kona Primary School, Jalingo, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing monitoring and supervision of schools across the state. The visit provided an opportunity for the Commissioner to see firsthand how teaching and learning are taking place at the school, interact with teachers and pupils, and identify areas requiring further government attention. During her visit, Hajiya Fatima Tani Habeeb moved through the classrooms, speaking directly with teachers and pupils. She observed teaching activities, checked attendance registers, and inspected the available learning facilities. She also listened to the concerns of the school management and teachers, particularly those relating to infrastructure, teaching and learning materials, enrolment, and the general welfare of staff and pupils. The Commissioner explained that school inspections are not intended to intimidate teachers or school administrators, but rather to understand the realities they face and provide the necessary support to improve the quality of education. «“Basic education is the foundation upon which every child builds his or her future. Our responsibility is to ensure that children in Taraba State have the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment, regardless of their background.”» The Commissioner also reviewed the implementation of government interventions designed to ease the burden on parents and encourage children to remain in school. These include the provision of school uniforms, learning materials, textbooks, and other forms of educational support. She noted that the increase in enrolment in public schools following the implementation of the government’s free education policy comes with a corresponding responsibility to ensure that schools have adequate facilities and teachers to accommodate the growing number of pupils. Hajiya Fatima Tani Habeeb commended the teachers at Kona Primary School for their dedication and encouraged them to remain committed to their responsibilities. She assured them that teacher development, welfare, timely payment of salaries, and professional growth remain important priorities of the government. The inspection also provided an opportunity to identify infrastructure and other needs requiring government attention. These were documented for further consideration and appropriate intervention. The Commissioner stressed that improving education is not only about increasing enrolment but also about ensuring that children receive meaningful learning and that teachers have the support and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. She further emphasised the importance of cooperation among teachers, school administrators, parents, communities, and government agencies in achieving sustainable improvement in basic education. At the end of the visit, Hajiya Fatima Tani Habeeb reiterated that the Ministry would continue to visit schools across Taraba State regularly to monitor progress, listen to the concerns of teachers and pupils, identify challenges, and ensure that government policies are effectively implemented at the grassroots. The visit to Kona Primary School reflects the Ministry’s commitment to taking education policies beyond government offices and ensuring that their impact is felt directly in classrooms and communities across the state.