The Kano State Government KNSG has inaugurated a committee to develop strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of out-of-school children, including poverty and child labor.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, stated this while receiving the management team of Plan International during a courtesy visit to his office in Kano.
Dr. Makoda described the rising number of out-of-school children as a national challenge, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between government, development partners, and civil society groups to confront the issue.
“Kano has a unique demography due to its position as a commercial hub in Africa. There is no state like Kano in terms of school population, and that is why your intervention in education development is crucial,”
The Commissioner highlighted that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf inherited numerous challenges in the education sector but has been working tirelessly to improve the system.
He noted that the state has constructed and renovated several schools, while over 5,600 Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) teachers have been given pensionable and permanent appointments.
He added that another 4,000 BESDA teachers would be integrated this week.
Dr. Makoda appealed to Plan International to deepen its support, reaffirming Kano’s commitment to working closely with the UK-funded organization to strengthen the education system and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
Earlier, the Country Director of Plan International, Mr. Charles Usie, expressed appreciation for the cordial partnership between the organization and the state government.
He explained that Plan International is currently implementing the Accelerating Basic Education Program (ABEP) in Kano, Sokoto, and Jigawa States, targeting 324,000 out-of-school children aged 10 to 18.
According to Usie, the program combines non-formal education with vocational skills training to help children transition back into formal schooling or gain employable skills.
“In Kano, the initiative is being piloted in Nasarawa, Kumbotso, Gwale, Tudun Wada, and Rimin Gado Local Government Areas”
He added that about 60,000 children in Kano will receive vocational training under the program, offering alternative pathways for those unable or unwilling to pursue secondary or tertiary education.
Recall that, that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had declared a state of emergency on education as part of efforts to revive the system and raise it to global standards
COV/Khadijah Aliyu
