Schools resumption: Kano records high turnout of teachers, students

Primary and post-primary schools in Kano resumed on Monday for the second term of the 2025 academic session, with monitoring teams reporting a strong turnout of both teachers and students.

A statement from Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, Director of Public Enlightenment at the Kano State Ministry of Education, confirmed that most schools had teachers and students present by 7:30 a.m.

“Reports indicate a satisfactory turnout, with schools opening between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., and only a few cases of absenteeism,” the statement said.

It also noted that teachers made early preparations for lessons and ensured that school facilities were cleaned for the smooth start of the term.

Kano State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Makoda, commended the positive turnout and urged principals and head teachers to maintain the momentum.

Makoda also expressed gratitude to parents and guardians for their cooperation, stressing their vital role in supporting the government’s efforts to improve educational standards and student performance.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to launching initiatives aimed at enhancing access to quality education and urged teachers to work together to meet expectations.

As usual, the Ministry of Education, along with its parastatals, including the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary, Directors, and Deputy Directors, conducted school assessments on the first day of the term to ensure strong academic performance.

Stakeholders in Kano have raised urgent calls for the government to invest in constructing perimeter fences around public schools.

This request comes amid rising incidents of theft, vandalism and disruptions that are severely affecting the academic environment in public schools.

In recent months, several schools in the state have experienced break-ins, with criminals stealing valuable equipment like computers, ceiling fans and zinc. 

The stakeholders made the call on Friday in a separate interview in some of the schools visited.

They stated that erecting perimeter fences around schools would help prevent trespassing.

Haruna Ibrahim, the Headmaster of Chula Central Primary School in Ajingi Local Government Area, pointed out that the lack of fencing had made the school a target for frequent trespassing by local residents.

“Trespassers disrupt our classes when they pass through the school during school hours,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim further raised concerns about the inadequate number of security personnel, noting that the school, which serves 1,270 pupils and has 12 teachers, only has one security guard.

Murtala Aliyu, the Assistant Headmaster of Garindau Central Primary School in Warawa Local Government Area, mentioned that although the school was fenced, it still required two more security guards to protect it from theft.

“Just yesterday, thieves entered the school and stole valuables due to the insufficient number of security guards. We only have one security guard for a school with 1,270 pupils and 12 teachers,” Aliyu said.

Similarly, Headmaster of Dawakin Tofa Model Primary School, in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, Sabi’u Idris, emphasized that the lack of a perimeter fence had made the school vulnerable to theft.

Idris also lamented the absence of security guards at the school, which, he said, had led to the theft of its valuables.

One of the parents in Chula community of Ajingi local government, Amina Shehu, lamented that the incidence undermine the learning experience for pupils and students in the area.

She called on the state government to build perimeter fence and employ additional security guards.

Another parent in Dawakin-Tofa local government, Musa Isa, also decried that destruction of classrooms and school property, has left both students and teachers frustrated and discouraged.

Isa appealed to the state government to provide adequate security to the school.

This paper reports Gov. Abba Kabir- Yusuf had declared a State of Emergency in the education sector to revitalize and advance education in the state.