The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, in 2023 general elections, Engr. Yusuf Abdullahi Da’awah, has accused Kano State Government of giving a fake compulsory free education in the State.
Education in Kano State is falling apart, especially the public schools. Despite the programmes to stop pupils from dropping out of school, the problem is worsening.
A 2015 report by EduCaleb noted that the number of drop-out pupils in Kano State reached four hundred thousand. However, in recent reports, the state has recorded nearly a million dropouts.
To prevent dropout and improve learning, the state government introduced a free and compulsory education scheme in November 2020. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor, signed the bill but little has been done to upgrade the schools which are mostly in bad shape.
The law empowers the state to sponsor all children from primary to secondary school for free and compulsory education, requiring the state to provide uniforms, reading materials, conducive teaching classrooms, and free feeding to the students.
According to the law, any principal or teacher found collecting any amount either from parents or students would pay N20,000 as a penalty or spend one month in jail. Also, parents, who refuse to send their children to school will be charged, either one-month imprisonment or to pay a N20,000 penalty.
But public schools have remained neglected since the law was passed. Findings by the reporter show that many students drop out of school due to dilapidated classrooms, lack of qualified teachers, and overcrowded classrooms.
However, in an interview with The Quest Times, Engr. Yusuf Abdullahi Da’awah, who earlier this year distributed JAMB forms to over 500 students from the constituency and rolls out series of programs over 3years, from 2021, 2022 and 2023, where over 3000 students are beneficiaries condemned Kano State over the failed free education.
He explained that there is no enough provision for the acclaimed compulsory free education. Noting that government should provide adequate facilities to cater for the need of compulsory basic education.
He said, “There was a fake compulsory free education in Kano, because we cant feel its effect so far.
“There is no enough provision for the acclaimed compulsory free education. Government should provide adequate facilities to cater for the need of compulsory basic education.
“Enough classrooms, laboratories and teaching materials should be provided. Teachers welfare should be improved. How many new schools were built, what of those that were upgraded ?
“I was raised by an average family, my status was raised because I am educated. My parent did everything possible to ensure I got a sound education. I went to series of public schools. Some of my friends that we went same school stopped at SS2 stage, some of which are street thugs and drug dealers now.
“What distinguish us and them is the level of education. I feel motivated to assist students from poor background and less privileged to attain atleast secondary certificate level, if not a degree program.
“Kano being a State with the highest number with out of school children is very unfortunate, and it is because of lack of commitments of government that we found ourselves in this mess.
“Education sector gets poor funding, the rich people fail to assist the community. It is a responsibility of all, we need to put hands together to enroll children in schools. Last year I enrolled 1500 students in schools from Kano Municpal, giving them uniforms, bags and writing materials.
“In 2021 it was 500 students. With project as such, from different angle of Kano and different people. The number of out of school children in kano in the next 5years will drastically reduced if not eliminated.