By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Bayero University Kano BUK, has expressed its readiness to partner with the Kano State Government in addressing the challenges facing the Education Sector in the State.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, who indicated this during a courtesy call on the State Commissioner of Education, Umar Haruna Doguwa, noted that the Institution is encouraged by the steps so far taken by the Government to halt the drift in the educational fortunes of the State, particularly, its recent declaration of State of Emergency in the system.
The Vice Chancellor who was in company with the Institution’s Management Team noted that the first sure step in remedying a situation is to diagnose the root causes both remote and immediate.
He stated that with the declaration of a State of Emergency, the State Government has demonstrated strong commitment to confronting the crisis in the educational system .
According to him, it is against this backdrop of display of political will, that the management of the BUK is desirous to lend a helping hand.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 3 2024, by the Director Public Enlightenment, of the Kano state Ministry of Education, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, the BUK Vice Chancellor emphasised the urgent need for concerted efforts to arrest the ugly situation within the State Education Sector.
“If you can take your time to conduct research with a view to finding out the real problems of education in Kano. then the solutions will far out live your administration.
“So, something needs to be done, urgently, to arrest the situation. We are highly concerned when we conduct admission. Even though Kano is having the highest number of students at Bayero University, but during every admission process ,we don’t usually have the expected number due to lack of qualifications, Prof Abbas lamented.
“The way out of the quagmire is for the conduct of a holistic prognosis on the education sector with a view to finding out the core challenges.
“To this end, he promised that the BUK ,is ready to offer all the necessary assistance needed,adding that there are many ways the institution can come in ,besides research.
” Bayero University,has the capacity to provide extensive training to teachers in groups, and equip them with what they require to start facing the challenges of education in Kano.
Underscoring the importance of a vibrant and functional educational system to any society, Prof Abbas blamed the high rate of drugs addiction and other social vices in Kano on lack of quality education among the youths.
According to him, the long period of decay of the educational system has resulted in many youths finding indulgence in criminal activities ,more rewarding than educational pursuits.
In his remarks, Doguwa described the visit as timely going by the enormity of the crisis within the system.
“It is obvious ,the present administration inherited a near total collapsed education sector ,with dilapidated schools infrastructure and instructional materials ,which resulted in an unconducive learning environment.
“We have produced a documentary programme portraying the total neglect and decay of the education sector meaning that we have a lot to do in order to address all the challenges .
“This Government is now trying to see how the problems can be addressed ” the Commissioner stated.
He noted that the State Government will be amenable to collaborating with the BUK in finding a lasting solution to the worrisome situation.
Doguwa informed that the state Government will be interested in the establishment of a research team to conduct a thorough inquest into the challenges facing the education sector in the state.
