An international education support agency, Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria, said it expended over N35m in 2011 on educational development in Kaiama Local Government Council of Kwara State.

The Organisational Development and Management Specialist, ESSPIN, Mr. Taiye Fatoki, made this known on Thursday during the inauguration of some facilities at Nassaraawa-Ngatte Local Government Education Authority.

He explained that standard and conducive learning environment as well as efficient and adequate tutors and availability of qualitative and sufficient teaching/learning materials would greatly advance the quality of education in Nigeria.

He said that the financial investment in the council covered infrastructural provisions, human capital/capacity development, provision of uniforms and sandals, learning materials and other amenities necessary for educational growth.

"ESSPIN has spent more than N35m in Kaiama in 2011 in terms of human capacity development on teachers, local government education authority officers, school uniforms and sandals for pupils, sandals, learning materials, teachers' allowances, hand pumps and sanitation facilities," Fatoki said.

He added that ESSPIN had been collaborating with the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and other relevant agencies as well as the Kwara State Government to uplift the standard of education.

According to him, SUBEB, Kaiama Local Government and other education support units and groups, as well as direct labour providers aided in the construction of the infrastructural facilities at Nassarawa-Ngatte school. He, however, noted that ESSPIN provided the needed funds.

He said that facilities at the school included two classrooms, one teacher office and a store with direct labour gulping N4.9m while materials cost N5.8m.

Fatoki said ESSPIN also upgraded a school at Ilorin East Local Government as well as supported educational development in the 16 local government councils across the state.

He added that a rural teacher housing which cost N2.9m; water points of N1.1m; many segregated male and female toilets and furniture of about N275,000 were also provided.

He stated that teachers during an interaction with ESSPIN identified poor funding, dilapidated environment, and hostile attitudes of some communities to the teachers as some of the problems militating against primary education in the country.

Fatoki added that the teachers said that with adequate security of educational workers, access and affordable health care and provision of transportation facilities such as buses or loans for purchase of vehicles or motorcycles, the sector would enhance its services.

He also said that the teachers suggested that with good working conditions, accommodation for rural teachers and adequate and timely payment of their allowances, there would be a leap in educational standard in primary schools.