Headlines
Citizens group asks Kano Govt to engage CBOs in teacher recruitment
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations appealed to Kano state government to engage Community Based Organisations (CBOs) during teacher recruitment.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appeal was part of the resolutions of a roundtable session on teacher recruitment and deployment, organized by Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria, PLANE, held in Kano on Tuesday.
The group has also appealed to government to address shortage of teachers especially in rural areas.
In his address the Permanent Member l Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Rabi’u Sale Gwarzo attributed the deficiency in quality of education in the state to the shortage of qualified teachers.
According to him, the quality of education across the state is gradually depreciating due to lack of commitment from teachers.
Other factors affecting the quality of education in the state, according to Gwarzo, include shortage of female teachers in rural areas as well as inadequate of instructional materials.
“These challenges resulted in jeopardizing the education system in the state.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards embracing opportunities presented by PLANE in engaging stakeholders in constructive dialogue regarding the shortage of teachers in basic education.
“We are all aware that educational issue has become a very important and crucial aspect of human development and every responsible government worldwide today has ear marked it as a key issue that needs serious attention especially Access, equity and quality.
“These challenges resulted in jeopardizing the education system in the state,” she said.
However, the government, according to him, has taken a boldstep towards tackling the problems.
In her presentation, Director Personnel, SUBEB, Mariya Hodi Adamu, disclosed that SUBEB had implemented several strategies to address the challenges to teacher recruitment, aimed at ensuring quality education from basic level.
According to Mrs Hodi, to increase recruitment drives, SUBEB had lunched targeted recruitment campaigns to attract more qualified teachers, particularly focusing on filling the gaps in rural areas.
She explained that the board has also reintroduced training programmes to improved the skills and the capacity of teachers.
“The board also introduced improved incentives and benefits to make teaching profession more attractive, in addition to working on improving salary structure, offering other benefit to techers expecially those willing to work in rural areas, e.g Professional and hazard allowances, staff car loan e.t.c.
“The Board has also invested in improving schools infrastructure making schools more conducive to teaching and learning. Government approved for the building of new classroom, renovations and provision of teaching aids to enhance quality of education.
“Community involment: the Board has engaged local communities to support teacher recruitment and retention
Merit – based – recruitment: effort have been made to ensure that the recuitment process is transference and based on merit to reduce the impact of political interference and nepotism and ensuring that the most qualified candidates are selected.
” The Board has put in place mechanism for regular monitoring and evaluation of teachers performance and the recruitment process. This help in identifying areas for improvement and making necessary adjustment,” she explained in her presentation.
Also in a remark, the State Team Lead of PLANE, Umar Lawan said the program was organized to foster collaborative dialogue between education stakeholders and media professionals for improved coverage and awareness creation on education initiatives, challenges and ongoing reforms in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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