The Bauchi State Government has initiated local production of exercise books and chalks, aiming to supply schools across the state with essential learning materials and enhance academic excellence.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Muhammed Rimin-Zayam, revealed this development on Friday during an inspection visit to the production facility at the Education Resource Centre (ERC) in Bauchi.
Dr. Rimin-Zayam explained that the initiative, championed by Governor Bala Mohammed, seeks to reduce reliance on external suppliers and guarantee the availability of quality educational resources within the state.
“You can see that exercise books are now being manufactured locally here in Bauchi under the supervision of the Ministry of Education with the backing of Governor Bala Mohammed. This is a major milestone. There’s no need to import these items from China anymore. This initiative will also help eliminate unqualified contractors who supply substandard materials,” he stated.
Beyond producing exercise books and chalks, the state is also refurbishing existing textbooks, giving them a fresh look to extend their usability.
“If we can produce and rebrand our textbooks right here, alongside making our own chalks, what more could we need?” Dr. Rimin-Zayam added.
He described the ERC project as a testament to the state’s commitment to improving education, noting that the centre was established specifically to provide schools with locally produced educational materials such as textbooks, exercise books, and chalks.
“Our goal is not just to meet local needs but also to eventually export these chalks, generating revenue for both the state and the Ministry of Education. The production is on a large scale, with millions of chalks made by our own staff, who are gainfully employed,” he explained.
Kabiru Ahmed, Director of the Education Resource Centre, also praised the dedication and efficiency of the workers responsible for producing the exercise books, chalks, and refurbished textbooks.
He highlighted that their commitment had significantly increased production output, with the project already delivering positive results for Bauchi’s education sector.
In related news, on September 25, 2025, the Young Leaders Network, in collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministries of Education and Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination, reviewed the state’s education sector budget performance for the second quarter of 2025.
The meeting, held under the Strengthening Advocacy for Girls Education Project and funded by the Malala Fund, brought together key stakeholders from the education sector and relevant government agencies to discuss progress and future strategies.
