The Niger State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has dismissed allegations that boarding students of the College of Arts and Islamic Studies (CAIS), Minna, have been without food for more than three weeks due to a suspension of food supplies.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, described the claim as misleading and inaccurate, insisting that the report did not reflect the true situation at the school.
According to the Ministry, concerns arose after discrepancies were observed in the boarding student figures consistently submitted by the school management. To verify the records, the Ministry constituted three independent verification teams to assess the actual status of boarding facilities and student enrollment at the institution.
The Ministry stated that all three teams independently reached the same conclusion, finding that there were no functional boarding students as claimed by the school administration. It further revealed that the purported boarding facilities were not operational and that the school kitchen remained locked and non-functional during three separate inspection visits.
Based on the findings, the Ministry said it discovered significant inconsistencies in the boarding enrollment figures being presented for food supply purposes. The school principal was subsequently invited to explain the discrepancies but was unable to provide evidence to support the claims, according to the statement.
The Ministry maintained that its actions were guided by the need to ensure accountability, transparency, and the prudent use of public resources, stressing that it has never taken measures intended to deprive students of their welfare.
While reaffirming its commitment to the wellbeing of learners across the state, the Ministry noted that it would not compromise standards of accountability or condone the falsification of official records.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to quality education, transparency, and responsible management of government resources in the interest of students and the people of Niger State.
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Education