THE LATEST DATA from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals a stark reality in Kano State’s education sector: only 9.6% of primary school pupils demonstrate reading proficiency, while a mere 11.2% exhibit basic numeracy skills.
These figures, drawn from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), highlight a deeper crisis. Approximately 989,234 primary school-age children in Kano—about 32% of the population—are not enrolled in formal education.
Rahama Mohammed, UNICEF’s Chief of the Kano Field Office, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “This is not just a statistic; it represents the dreams and potential futures of nearly one million children being cut short. Urgent action is required to address this crisis.”
A critical examination of Kano’s educational infrastructure reveals systemic challenges. A recent report indicates that approximately 25% of the 1,612 primary schools assessed in the state operate with only one teacher covering all six grades. This severe understaffing compromises the quality of education and hinders effective learning.
READ MORE: 5000 Nigerian Women Stranded In Iraq-NIDCOM Decries
Funding disparities further exacerbate the problem. Between 2020 and 2023, Kano allocated between 15% and 21% of its budget to education. However, in 2024, this allocation plummeted to just 3% of the state’s ₦421.53 billion budget. Such a drastic reduction raises concerns about the state’s commitment to addressing its educational challenges.
In response to these pressing issues, UNICEF has initiated several interventions. One notable effort is the integration of Quranic schools into the formal education system. Over 290 Quranic teachers and proprietors in Kano and Jigawa states have been trained to ensure children receive basic education alongside religious studies.
Additionally, UNICEF has enhanced the skills of 1,109 teachers through programs covering Reading and Numeracy Activities (RANA), Early Childhood Development, and HASKE for non-formal Quranic schools. The organization has also supplied 630,249 teaching and learning materials to support early childhood and primary education across the state.
Infrastructure improvements have also been a focus. UNICEF has supported the construction and rehabilitation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in 33 schools across Kano and Jigawa, directly benefiting 39,432 children—19,810 boys and 19,622 girls.
The Explainer earlier reported that amid the poor educational deficit bedevilling Kano State, the governor of State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, promised to lavish a sum of 10 million on Buhari Sanusi Idris, a Kano-born student who emerged as the winner of the National Qur’anic recitation competition under Male Category to Saudi Arabia.
The Explainer noted that the amounts about to be lavished on student airlift to Saudi would have provided more for the educational sector in the state and addressed its teething challenges.
