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25% of primary schools in Kano have one teacher each – report
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) has stated that 25 Percent of primary schools in Kano “have only one teacher to teach all grades of the primary school”.
KANO FOCUS reports that this is contained in its 2024 Learning Outcome Assessment report of some primary schools in the state that was presented on Thursday in Kano at a dissemination workshop for stakeholders.
Leadership of PLANE team and some chairmen of local governments
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Kano, Franklin Oniya, the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead Coordinator for Partnership for Learning in All Nigeria (PLANE), reported that teacher absenteeism was noted at 8.6 percent, while pupil absenteeism was recorded at 62 percent.
Additionally, critical challenges such as a lack of basic instructional materials, absenteeism among both teachers and students coupled with overcrowded classrooms in government basic schools are raising concerns among authorities, as revealed by a report from the United Kingdom-funded project
Officials of PLANE
The report highlights that approximately 25 percent of the 1,612 primary schools assessed in Kano have only one teacher for all six grades. This results in a teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:131, which far exceeds UNESCO’s recommended ratio of 1:35 and is double the state’s target of 1:60.
Furthermore, in about 79 percent of classrooms, most children lacked essential supplies such as pencils and exercise books, indicating that over three-quarters of students do not have the materials needed to complete their lessons.
Oniya emphasized the need for the state government to enhance the recruitment of qualified teachers, ensure adequate training for educators, and improve school monitoring and support while providing sufficient learning materials.
Ag Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Dr Kabiru Gwarzo and participant
Deputy National Leader of PLANE, Sam Achimugu explained that the seven-year program, currently in its second year, is being implemented in Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states. The program aims to strengthen the education system in these states, particularly focusing on children in Foundational and Accelerated Learning Schools.
He urged the Kano State government to ensure sustainability and foster collaboration among stakeholders to improve the education system.
FCDO OfficialsAccording to Alh. Umar Lawan, the team leader of PLANE’s Kano office, the program emphasizes literacy and mathematics and is being implemented in 1,112 primary schools across 11 local government areas, with an enrollment of 265,011 pupils.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
In her words, the Board Secretary of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hajia Amina Garba commended PLANE’s efforts to improve the quality of education in Kano. She also highlighted the recent declaration of a state of emergency in education to address the challenges facing the sector and assured that the government would maintain its partnership to transform the educational system.
KANO FOCUS reports that PLANE finally praised the efforts of the Kano state government for recruiting 5,634 permanent teachers and 4,300 BESDA teachers, describing it as and important step in alleviating the teacher shortage which it’s report says is on a ratio of 131:1 for pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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