The Sokoto State Government is implementing immediate measures to address alarming rates of low attendance among students and teachers in various schools across the state. This directive was issued by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmad Ladan Ala, during a briefing at the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute of Qur'an and General Studies in Sokoto.

The briefing, which marked the Week Four, Day One of the ministry's activities, included a review of reports from two monitoring teams that had visited schools the previous Wednesday. These reports revealed that many schools were experiencing significantly low student attendance, and some Quality Assurance officers assigned to oversee these institutions were notably absent during their monitoring visits.

This situation is particularly concerning given the ongoing restrictions on school operations in certain parts of Sokoto due to security issues. As previously reported by DailyPost, many schools remain closed in various regions, with only those in Sokoto North and Sokoto South local government areas, as well as select schools in Wamakko, Kware, and Dange-Shuni local government areas, operating normally.

In response to the findings, Commissioner Ala has instructed the Director of Quality Assurance, Muhammad Sani Usman, to take swift action to enhance attendance rates among both students and teachers. This includes ensuring adherence to supervision protocols and addressing the absence of monitoring officers.

Additionally, the commissioner has directed Usman to collaborate with the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) to introduce a teachers' signing book. This initiative aims to systematically track attendance and participation in lessons throughout the school day, thereby fostering accountability among educators.

The Sokoto State Government's proactive stance reflects its commitment to improving educational standards and ensuring that students receive the necessary support and supervision to thrive academically. As these measures are rolled out, the government hopes to see a marked improvement in school attendance and overall educational performance in the state.