- The administration considers education a key component of human development and aims to strengthen the sector
- Doguwa emphasized the importance of the Principal role and affirmed measures to enhance the education system
- The government plans to take appropriate action against individuals involved in any misconduct related to private school operations
Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, has revealed that the state is grappling with an issue where more than four million students are forced to sit on bare floors due to inadequate facilities. Furthermore, approximately 400 schools have only one teacher each.
Doguwa shared this concerning information during a meeting held at Rumfa College, Kano, with staff members from five agencies under the ministry. In a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, the Commissioner stated that these distressing facts were uncovered through investigations and described the situation as heartbreaking. The Commissioner emphasized that the state is committed to implementing significant changes in both the primary and secondary education systems to address these challenges.
“As part of this measure, we noticed that most of our Zonal Offices are filled up with competent staff who are supposed to teach in the classroom but are there doing nothing. As of now, no Zonal office under any agency should get more than 22 staff while the rest must be reposted to classrooms based on merit and profession..
“It is very sad to note that just in Kano North, there are over 400 Schools with only one teacher per School,” the Commissioner lamented.
Doguwa maintained that the present administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf attaches more priority to the education sector as it has set aside 49% of its 2023 budget allocation on education to revitalize the sector considering it’s position as the backbone of human development.
The Commissioner explained that just recently, the administration had paid over 1.3 billion naira for the settlement of 57,000 Students who sat for the NECO, WEAC and NBAIS examinations.
On the issue of Principal/Directorship, Doguwa said the ministry is going to pass a circular that bans using Principal Director, stressing that “You either be a Principal or Director because the position of Principal is equally very important”.
In a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, the Commissioner explained that the revelation was based on an investigation made so far and a situation he described as pathetic.
According to the Commissioner, the state is taking serious measures to bring all the possible changes in both the primary and secondary education system of the state.
“As part of this measure, we noticed that most of our Zonal Offices are filled up with competent staff who are supposed to teach in the classroom but are there doing nothing. As of now, no Zonal office under any agency should get more than 22 staff while the rest must be reposted to classrooms based on merit and profession.
“It is very sad to note that just in Kano North, there are over 400 Schools with only one teacher per School,” the Commissioner lamented.
The Commissioner, Doguwa, highlighted that the current administration led by Abba Kabir Yusuf has made education a top priority. They’ve allocated 49% of the 2023 budget to the education sector to rejuvenate its role in human development.
The administration recently disbursed over 1.3 billion naira to settle fees for 57,000 students who took various exams. Regarding Principal/Directorship roles, Doguwa mentioned a planned circular that will prohibit the use of the term “Principal Director,” emphasizing that one must hold either the Principal or Director position due to their equal importance. He also confirmed the government’s intention to regulate private schools, stopping public school teachers from being assigned to private institutions, and taking action against any officer involved in wrongdoing.