Headlines
COVID-19: 28 Almajirai repatriated to Kano test positive–Official
Nasiru Yusuf
The chairman of Kano state Task Force on the relocation of almajirai to their states of origin Murtala Garo says 28 out of 1,146 kids brought to Kano from other states have tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr Garo, who is also the state Commissioner for local governments, said 311 other Almajiris were also diagnosed with illnesses like fever, malaria, stomach pain among others.
He made the revelation on Wednesday at the State Task Force on COVID-19 media briefing, held at Africa House, Government House, Kano.
“Your Excellency we took 419 Almajiris to Katsina state, 524 to Jigawa state, 155 to Kaduna state, 38 to Bauchi state and 36 to Gombe state. While we received 179 Almajiris from Adamawa state, 220 from Nassarawa state, 96 from Gombe state, 18 from Katsina, 92 from Kaduna state.
“Out of the 1,146 Almajiris who were tested for COVID-19, 28 of them were tested positive. While 311 were identified with other illnesses like fever, malaria, stomach pain among others. And also over 1,000 Almajiris were arrested roaming about the streets in the metropolis,” the commissioner revealed.
Mr Garo further disclosed that, 723 Almajiris, who are indigenes of Kano state, brought from other states, have been taken to their parents, and would be enrolled to new schools designed to for them.
Crying for home
In his address Mr Ganduje said, henceforth all almajiri schools in the state must comply with the state’s free and compulsory primary and secondary schools education policy.
The governor vowed that all children either Almajiri or non-Almajiri must be in formal schools.
He lamented that some of those Almajiri were even crying, to be taken to their parents.
“Those of them that were Kano indigenes and brought from other states, are being quarantined. Those that are found negative for COVID-19 we take them to their parents. While those that are positive we take them to Isolation Centre.
“We also said whoever insists to run Almajiris school he must follow the guidelines we put in place for running an Almajiri school. Parts of the guidelines include, that, school must have a curriculum which must integrate conventional fields of study, like English, Mathematics and Craft training.”
“Teachers must provide pupils with decent accommodation, good feeding system, they must have qualified teachers, there must be a system of evaluation and control, like quality assurance and there must be system of examination among other guidelines,” Mr Ganduje said.
The governor clarified that, the process was not meant to strip Almajiri teachers off their tutorship, but to integrate them into the mainstream teaching program of their pupils with new set of mentoring system, as teachers.
“Some of those Alarammas (Almajiri Teachers) are being employed and we are going to use them in the schools we are commissioning specifically for Almajiris. We are therefore calling on others to come forward and be recruited to teach in those schools,” the governor revealed.
Decline in COVID-19 cases
On COVID-19, Mr Ganduje revealed that the state is witnessing a decline in the spread of the disease.
He attributed the development to Allah’s intervention and commitment of front line health workers, journalists, traditional and religious leaders among other stakeholders.
“Though we are aware that there is no definite time for the pandemic to leave us completely, but the success story for all of us here is, we are witnessing a decline in the spread of the disease in Kano state.”
“While we should learn to always optimise our compliance with the protocols, we also understand that there are areas that we must strengthen our strategies towards them. Areas like community engagement, is absolutely necessary.
“Our health workers are doing their best and we promise to protect them all the time. So that all the necessary items/equipments needed must be provided as you are all witnessing. Things like Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) among others.
“We understand that face mask wearing has not gone down to grassroots. So we are producing more Masks through our local tailors, that will help in getting them to grassroots,” he said.
Headlines
Education Renaissance: Governor Yusuf to Boost Learning and Safety in Kano’s Public Schools
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Kano’s public schools, with a particular focus on upgrading infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.
Speaking during a visit to Governor’s College on Thursday, Governor Yusuf inspected newly delivered furniture and instructional materials provided by the Ministry of Education.
He noted that these efforts are part of a broader initiative to revitalize public primary, junior, and secondary schools across the state, reversing the deteriorating state of the education sector.
The Governor was warmly received by enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff at the college, where he promised swift reforms aimed at strengthening the academic experience and preparing students for a bright future.
He also expressed pride in the improvements made at the school and announced plans to further enhance the capacity of the teaching staff.
Governor Yusuf revealed that his administration is set to construct a pedestrian bridge near the College, along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, to ensure student safety and prevent accidents.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s determination to tackle the challenges facing the education sector, promising that the declared state of emergency in education would result in significant progress and the restoration of Kano’s educational prestige.
Headlines
KSCHMA coverage increased by 37% in 15 months – E.S
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Headlines
EU partners UNICEF to enhance school safety, quality education in Kano
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.