Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru
Kano State Commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa says government will start sanctioning parents whose children are found roaming the streets during school hours.
Umar Duguwa gave the warning on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting with women on the significance of girls education as key impetus for accelerated socio-economic development held at Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium.
He maintained that the present administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf would no longer tolerate absenteeism, lateness by either teachers or students, stressing that any person found with this habit government would take appropriate action against him or her.
Doguwa revealed that the state government had repaired and released about 70 higher capacity vehicles conveying students to schools, tasking parents to compliment government’s efforts by sending their wards to school instead of roaming in the street.
“ When we came on board, we met the education sector in a pathetic situation, we have 5.2 million students in the state, we met about 4.5 students sitting on the floor without chairs and without teaching materials.
“ The previous administration shut down 28 boarding schools. We have over 32,000 students in those schools, after the closure, we now have about 9,000 students in boarding schools. Most of them are now in day schools.
“So, if the government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf allocated 29.7 per cent of budget on education, promised to pay salary on time, repaired about 70 high capacity vehicles to transport the children to school, we monitor the conduct of the teachers, what about children who don’t go to school and the parents whose role is to send their wards to school?
“So, the component that is remaining now is the student aspect which we decide to reach out to the parents to know the importance of education and their commitment to allow their children to be in school in good time.
“If we find a child coming late to school, we will invite the parents, explain the situation to them and tell them we want them (children) to come to school by 8 a.m. And if they don’t heed to the call, we will do the needful.
“ The way we take measures on teachers who come to school late, so we will take measures against children who come to school late.
“ Parents must realize that they have a responsibility to send their children (both male and female) to school,” the commissioner said.
Speaking, the State Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Disabled Hajiya Aisha Lawan Saji called on female parents to rally round and support government effort of providing quality education especially to the Girls who are the mothers of tomorrow.
” If you educate one female, is like you educate the whole world, so woman education is very crucial. We should therefore wake up and give the needed support to our Girls Child to get educated ” she urged.
On her part, the Secretary, High Level Women Association, HILWA, Hajia Ladidi Fagg attributed higher increase of dropped out female students in the state to closure of the boarding schools who according her are now found roaming in the street hawking or serving as housemaid.
Hajiya Ladid stressed the need for the parents especially women to make share that they prepared their wards on time and go to school, adding that….” by doing this, the students will be able to complete their study and become.useful in the society.
The Deputy Commander General Kano State Hisbah Board Dr. Khadija Sagir highlighted the importance of Girls Education from the islamic perspectives.
She said Islam has encouraged Girls (Women) Education in somany places in the holy Qur’an and Hadith, and that can never be achieved with out the support of parents by sending their Children to school.
Dr. Khadija acknowledged the effort of the present administration of revitalizing the state education sector.
