Headlines
Kano enrols over 4.7 million pupils in primary schools, vows major infrastructure drive
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has disclosed that more than 4.7 million pupils are currently enrolled in public primary schools across the state, following a comprehensive pupils’ census conducted to ascertain the true condition of the education sector.
KANO FOCUS reports that the disclosure was made by the Technical Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Education, Alhaji Haladu Muhammad, during activities marking the International Day of Education in Kano.
Muhammad explained that the census revealed significant challenges within the system, particularly the sharp drop in enrolment from primary to secondary schools.
“We have over four million pupils in primary schools, but in secondary schools, the number is not more than one million. This gap is largely due to inadequate classrooms, which prevents many pupils from transitioning to secondary education,” he said.
According to him, the Yusuf administration has prioritised massive infrastructure development to address the imbalance, noting that the government is currently renovating dilapidated classrooms and constructing new ones across the state to meet rising enrolment demands.
The technical adviser also highlighted the challenge of teacher shortages, disclosing that Kano State has about 8,000 primary schools with fewer than 50,000 teachers. He noted that when the present administration assumed office, the number of teachers was about 30,000, but recent recruitment exercises have raised the figure to 50,000, with plans for further recruitment.
“Our target is to achieve a ratio of one teacher to 60 pupils in the short term, and eventually one teacher to 50 pupils,” Muhammad added.
Speaking at the event, a member of the Education Forum, Dr. Auwalu Halilu, commended the role of School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in strengthening teaching and learning at the grassroots.
He described the committees as community watchdogs that protect school facilities, prevent vandalism and ensure that children remain in school.
“Our guiding principle is to make schools community-owned, so that every child belongs to the community and no child is left roaming the streets,” Halilu said.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Kano State SBMC, Ibrahim S. Saleh, praised the committees for their efforts in addressing security challenges in schools. He cited a recent incident in Yankaba, where suspected drug addicts attempted to encroach on school premises but were repelled by vigilant SBMC members.
Also speaking, the Ward Head of Kumbotso and SBMC Chairman in the area, Alhaji Aminu Ilyasu, said the committees are intensifying sensitisation campaigns on the importance of education, while monitoring schools and supporting government infrastructure initiatives.
“We are creating awareness among our people on the importance of education. SBMCs are overseeing schools, uplifting them and ensuring regular attendance by pupils,” he said.
The Kano State Government has pledged to institutionalise the pupils’ census as an annual exercise to enable continuous tracking of enrolment trends and emerging challenges in the education sector.
With over 4.7 million pupils currently enrolled in primary schools and pressing needs for more classrooms and teachers, the government reiterated its commitment to ensuring access to quality, inclusive and sustainable education for every child in Kano 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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