Headlines
Kano releases N1 billion for girls’ education related projects – GEP
The Kano State Government has so far released more than N1.02 billion for girls’ education related projects in its 2022 budget.
KANO FOCUS reports that Hajiya Mairo Bello, the Co-chair, Girl Education Partnership, an NGO, made this known in Kano on Saturday, at the dissemination of the Kano State 2022 girl education budget performance with citizens and relevant stakeholders.
The dissemination was supported by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), a governance programme of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Bello explained that while N868.6 million was released for girls’ specific budget lines, N155.5 million were released for both boys and girls related education projects.
Cross section of participants
She said that of the N868.6 million, N32.9 million was for feeding, N116.6 million for transitional examination, N177.6 million for National Examination Council, and N90 million for National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies examination.
Others, she said, included N12 million for the State Agency for Mass Education, while N132 million was released for renovations of girls’ secondary schools.
She added that N12.5 million was also released for repairs of shuttle buses for transportation of girls to school, under the state’s Girl Education Project.
She particularly commended the state government for the release of 12.5 million for the repair of 20 shuttle buses for the transportation of girls to schools within the metropolitan towns of the state.
She explained that the development was the result of consistent advocacy to government agencies by citizens groups to push for increased investment on girls’ education.
Cross section of participants
“This is a milestone for us, because the shuttle buses will support in transporting girls from poor households to school at no cost.
“This will significantly increase girls’ access to education by removing transportation and distance barriers.
“It also provides security as a safety measure by taking the girls from their homes to school and returning them back to their houses safely.
“This, in the long run, will increase girls’ school enrolment, retention, transition, and completion,” she said.
Read also: Super Falcons lose 0-4 to world champions US in friendly
She said that an analysis of the 2021 budget supported by PERL, shows that only three per cent of the total state budget was specific to girls’ interventions.
This, she said, prompted the citizens group to conduct series of advocacies to relevant government agencies to increase budgetary allocation for specific girls’ education interventions.
Cross section of participants
According to her, the advocacy yielded significant results with the creation of budget lines for girls’ education projects in the state.
Bello said that one of the budget lines was N20 million for the purchase of 10 shuttle buses for Girl Education within eight metropolitan local government areas and repair of 20 grounded vehicles for the girl education pppproject.
“Another budget line was N20 million for the construction of and rehabilitation of toilets for children and students with special needs in girls’ schools across the three Senatorial Zones in the state.
“A total of N50 million was also allocated to enhance inclusive education for girls with disabilities across the state and N120 million for the recruitment of female teachers for basic and secondary schools.
“Similarly, N15 million was allocated for the construction of blocks of classrooms, provision of furniture, instructional materials, and supply of buses for girls in primary and secondary schools,” she said.
She explained that of all the allocations amounting to N225 million, N12.5 million had been released for repair of shuttle buses.
She also said that a memo for the release of N100 million for the recruitment of female teachers and N19.6 million for the renovation of toilet facilities in girls’ schools were being processed for releases.
Cross section of participants
Earlier, Hajiya Hajara Suleiman, PERL State Partnership Facilitator in the state, said that the objective of the meeting was to provide an overview and update on the girl education budget.
She added that the meeting was also organised to disseminate findings from the relevant ministries, departments and agencies with girl specific education projects.
“The meeting was also organised to identify possible ways for further engagement with stakeholders that will facilitate budget releases and implementation of girls’ education projects,” Suleiman said.
In his remarks, Special Adviser to Kano state governor on free and compulsory education and co-chair girls education partnership (GEP), Dr. Kabiru Shehu commended the effort of citizens on the consistent advocacies they embarked on to ensure funds allocated in the MDAs responsible for the implementation of Girl Education are released.
He noted that, over one hundred and ninety million naira additional support funds were provided by the state to sponsor female students SSCE examination.
Also speaking the state chairman of State Based Management Committee (SBMC) Tijjani Haladu Baraya, pointed out that as part of efforts to uplift the standard of education, Kano state government had set up a committee to oversee the renovation of 22 schools across the state.
He pointed out that, the ongoing project, under Kano state urban planning development authority (KNUPDA) gave special consideration to four girls secondary schools.
A member of GEP and Kano state Coodinator CSACEFA, Dr. Auwal Halilu said citizens analysed the releases of the 2022 budget.
He highlighted that, findings revealed more insights on how to improve girls education in Kano.
In his presentation titled ‘Girls education and releases for 2022 budget’ Comrade Safiyanu Lawan Bichi of Kano budget working group and member GEP, brought to light that ministry for local government, SUBEB and Agency for Mass Education have releases on girls education.
He also urged the partnership to use the session to set out committees that will follow up releases and track implementation from other MDAs that are responsible for the delivery of Girl Education projects.
The event tagged: Dissemination of 2022 budget performance with citizens and relevant stakeholders, supported by PERL- ECP brought together traditional rulers, government officials, civil society organizations, journalists, women groups, PWD, members of GEP and other relevant stakeholders in the Educational Sector.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The government has introduced new guidelines for fee increment.
Kano State Government has prohibited private and voluntary schools from arbitrarily increasing fees and forcing parents to purchase materials directly from the schools.
KANO FOCUS reports that Executive Secretary of the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institution’s Board( KSPVIB,) Comrade Baba Abubakar Umar, gave the warning in an interview with journalists.
The Executive Secretary said that some schools have been taking advantage of parents through hidden charges and exorbitant fees.
He said to address this issue, the board has introduced new guidelines.
According to him, “Schools must convene a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to discuss any fee increments”.
He also stated that school must then write to the board seeking approval for the increase, attaching the attendance sheet from the PTA meeting.
He added that”At least two-thirds of parents must be present at the PTA meeting”
Comrade Abubakar dated that, the board has received complaints from parents who were charged excessive fees or amounts different from what was initially agreed upon.
He therefore disclosed that despite the current economic situation, schools must be realistic and fair in their charges.
“The board will work with relevant authorities to prosecute schools that operate illegally or evade taxes”
He however maintained that the board is committed to ensuring that schools provide safe learning environments and employ qualified teachers.
“Parents are encouraged to report any schools with substandard teaching or unsafe conditions”
Comrade Abubakar emphasised that, new census forms will be distributed to private and voluntary schools to ensure accurate data collection and effective monitoring. Saying that the board remains open to dialogue and discussions with schools willing to comply with the law.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to education, allocating 30% of the state’s budget to the sector and declaring a state of emergency.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that two people have died and two others were injured following the collapse of a two-storey building in Noman’s Land, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Officer, Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said the agency received a distress call around 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan about the building collapse.
Dr. Abdullahi stated, “The agency received a distress call today at about 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan that a two-storey building collapsed in Noman’s Land Quarters, Kano.”
He further said, “Upon receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our rescue team to the scene.”
Dr. Abdullahi added, “Four persons were rescued by our team—a husband, wife, and two children. Unfortunately, the two children were confirmed dead, while the couple were rushed to the Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano, for treatment.”
The NEMA Coordinator also noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to find any persons trapped in the building.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano students from Kano are the top applicants of the student loan scheme, data from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has revealed.
KANO FOCUS reports that NELFUND, in a data chart posted via its official X handle, @nelfnigeria on Friday, highlighted the number of applicants per state of origin.
According to the data chart, students originally from Kano State topped the list of applicants with 17,122 applicants; Borno followed suit with 13,798 applicants while Benue had 11,754 applicants. The three states were the only states with over 11, 000 applicants.
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.
The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.
Kano govt cautions private schools against excessive fees
NEMA confirms 2 dead, others injured in building collapse
North not afraid of constitutional review – ACF BoT Chair
Kano indigenes top student loan applicants’ list
Dangote Industries Limited, again emerges as the most valuable brand in Nigeria for 7th time
Young entrepreneurs commence manufacturing of USB cable in Kano
Tinubu appoints Prof Abdullahi Pakistan chairman of Hajj Commission
Top Nigerian Leaders to Gather in Abuja for Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman’s Book Launch
Dangote clarifies stand on NNPC’s crude oil supply to refinery
