Coalition of citizen groups in Kano has urged government, legislators and relevant stakeholders to enhance promote science and technology education.
This was part of an advocacy brief at the end of a one-day session to identify citizen-driven education projects in the 2024 Kano budget, organized by PERL.
The coalition explained that, despite the unprecedented rapid scientific and technological advancement, Kano state is lagging considering the first quarter of 2024 budget performance of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
They pointed out that, according to the first quarter of 2024 budget performance released by the state Ministry of Planning and Budget, the education sector which comprises three ministries of education, higher education and science, technology and innovation recorded 8.0%, 10.8% and 0.3% performance.
The coalition stressed that the 2024 budget allocation prioritizes education above all sectors by allocating over 30% of the approved budget.
They however maintained that to achieve the desired objective, the government must put in place policies such as teacher policy, girl education policy, inclusive education policy, and free education policy coupled with compliance with the public financial management laws by the governor.
“It is interesting to note that the education sector has never been as busy as it is in the last year, as the state declared a state of emergency on education”
They identified some of the challenges bedevilling the education system in the last few years to include inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, and limited access to educational resources.
“These issues have led to poor learning outcomes and limited opportunities for children and youth in these communities making the state lead in the number of out-of-school children”.
Earlier in his remarks, the state partnership facilitator Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn PERL Malam Yunusa Hamza explained that the objective of the session is to strengthen stakeholder collaboration towards ensuring effective policy delivery, program and budget implementation.
“Supporting participants to develop advocacy brief on key issues from the session”
The coalition consists of Hasken Kano, KBWG, FIDAC, CAJA, CAGSI, CKCBOs and representatives from the Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget MoPB and Kano State Ministry of Education.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
