The Bauchi State Government says it has approved N164 million for the procurement of machines and other equipment to support technical and vocational education in the state.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Bauchi when the state’s Taskforce on Education Programme and Investment Project visited him in Bauchi.

Dr Tunji Adekola, Team Leader of the taskforce on the World Bank assisted project led the delegation.

Saleh said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been signed between Technical Colleges and private companies towards improving skills development in technical education.

He said the deployment of teachers to rural schools in core subjects earlier embarked upon through the World Bank programme had significantly improved the availability and efficiency of the teachers.

Saleh said that 3,161 teachers, including 765 teaching core courses had been sent to rural areas to address shortage of staff earlier witnessed in the state.

The deputy governor said the officials of the project had conducted pilot testing of primary five pupils in English and Mathematic to ascertain the success of the project.

Earlier, Adekola had said the visit was part of the World Bank’s efforts to support the state to achieve the desired goals in education.

Adekola recalled that the government had in 2013 entered into partnership with the World Bank in education and commended it over the commitment shown, especially in project execution.