Headlines
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
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, has called on residents to give maximum support and cooperation to the newly established Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the union also commended the Kano State Government for establishing the task force and appointing Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado as its chairman.
The NUJ made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress meeting held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Press Centre Conference Hall in Kano.
The congress described the establishment of the task force as an important step towards addressing drug abuse and urged residents to cooperate with it to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The union’s position comes amid growing concerns over drug abuse and its associated social challenges, particularly among young people.
The congress also urged politicians and other political stakeholders to conduct their electioneering activities ahead of the 2027 general elections in accordance with established rules and regulations.
It called on political actors to shun thuggery, hate speech and defamatory statements capable of undermining peace and unity in the state.
On security and community relations, the NUJ urged the state government to urgently address recurring farmers-herders conflicts to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
It stressed the need for proactive measures to promote peaceful coexistence between farming and herding communities.
The congress further called on the government and relevant agencies to intensify public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and safety, particularly as the harmattan season approaches.
While commending the government’s efforts to revitalise water supply and improve access to potable water in Kano metropolis, the union urged it to extend similar interventions to rural communities.
The NUJ also welcomed the recent cabinet reshuffle by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing it as a step towards strengthening governance and service delivery.
However, it appealed to the governor to consider appointing a professional from the media industry as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, citing the strategic importance of the ministry.
On road safety, the congress called on traffic regulatory agencies to intensify public enlightenment and road-user education to reduce accidents amid ongoing infrastructure development and increasing traffic activities across the metropolis.
The union also congratulated the NUJ Kano State Council on securing the hosting rights for the forthcoming Media Security Summit, describing the development as a significant achievement for the council and the media industry.
At the meeting, the congress also filled the vacant position of Assistant Secretary with Comrade Mubarak Ismaila Madungurum, a journalist with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Kano.
The congress concluded with special prayers for departed colleagues and relatives, including Ismaila Garba Gwammja, the mother of the council’s Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Gambo, and the wife of Comrade Dahiru Ibrahim Biso.
It prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls and for Allah to grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
The communiqué was signed by the NUJ Kano State Council Chairman, Comrade Sulaiman Dederi, and Secretary, Comrade Hauwa Zaharadeen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
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