KNSG, UNICEF Commemorate International day of Education
By Khadija Aliyu
The Kano state government (KNSG),says it is ready and willing to invest heavily on education, to cater for the needs and aspirations of students in the state.
The state commissioner for education, Alhaji Umar Doguwa made the indication, during an event to commemorate the international day of education 2024,held in Kano.
According to him, the state government under the leadership of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, had set aside 29.7% of its 2024 budget to education, as part of efforts to revive the sector.
He said, other interventions in the sector includes, refurbishing of 60 high capacity buses to convey female students, as well as the approval of #740 million naira for payment of examination fees, for indigent students.
Doguwa highlighted that, Kano state has joined the United Nations project of safe schools pilot scheme, with 48 boys and girls schools from each zone, in addition to the training and recruitment of more teachers.
In his remarks, the executive secretary Kano state universal basic education board (SUBEB),Alhaji Yusuf Kabir maintained that, education empower learners as agents of peace ,and a powerful tool that can transform lives and communities.
He said , children needs peaceful environment for learning, saying that, education is a catalyst for peace and conflict resolution that promotes dialogue, tolerance and respect for mankind.
The United nations children’s fund (UNICEF),chief of field office Kano,Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah explained that, insecurity has emerged as one of the greatest threats to the development of education in Nigeria, especially in the Northwest region.
Represented by UNICEF senior education manager,Mr. Micheal Banda,he stressed that, lack of school safety impacts education by fueling the out of school problem and learning crisis, as 1 out of 4 children is out of schools, and 3 out of 4 children, cannot read with understanding or solve simple math problems.
He pointed out that, UNICEF created a rich policy environment, through support to the development of a policy in safety in schools, and the minimum standards in safe schools.
Mr. Rahma hinted that, UNICEF Kano field office has built the capacity of school based management committees (SBMC, CBMCs), including teachers, learners, and community members from 1,710 schools across 28 LGAs of Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states making schools safe and proactive.
Some of the students who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Khadijah Abdulhamid and Najma Yusuf Yakubu urged government to enlighten students on safe school tips and climate change, school fencing, strengthen security outpost among others.
The event themed: learning for lasting peace: was organized by Kano state government (KNSG),and UNICEF field office Kano.
