COMMUNIQUÉ: KANO EDUCATION 2024 SUMMIT
Date: 20th & 21st February 2024. Venue: Tahir Guest Palace, Nasarawa GRA Kano State
Background
The Kano Education 2024 Summit convened on the 20th and 21st of February 2024 at the Tahir Guest Palace, Nasarawa GRA, Kano State, heralding a new dawn in the pursuit of educational excellence and inclusivity. Under the theme “Towards Strengthening Retention and Completion of Girls’ Education,” the summit unfolded as a beacon of hope, unity, and transformative dialogue.
Education, as the cornerstone of societal advancement, assumes paramount significance in fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and individual empowerment. Recognizing its pivotal role, the Adolescent Health Information Project (AHIP) and Christian Aid Nigeria, in collaboration with, the Kano State Ministry of Education, Bayero University Kano, Arewa Consultative Forum, CSACEFA – Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE) organized the transformative Education Summit.
Key Objectives
The summit sought to mobilize key stakeholders, including policymakers, academia, researchers, education administrators, and advocates from non-profit organizations, parents, and students, to drive strategies for improving school retention and completion rates among girls in Kano State. Through engaging discussions, the summit aimed to develop implementable strategies and initiatives to place girls’ education at the forefront of the state’s political agenda.
Session Highlights
The summit was ignited with fervor, enriched by the verses of the Qur’an recited by the ACF chairman, setting a tone of reverence and purpose. Esteemed speakers and presenters, including the Director of AHIP, Haj Mairo Bello Garko, Mr. Oluchukwu Obele from Christian Aid Nigeria, and Mall. Umar Lawan from PLANE graced the discourse with their profound insights and unwavering commitments to the cause of girls’ education. In the presence of Alh Abba Danguguwa, representing the Head of Service, Alh Yahaya Hotoro, representing the District Head of Nassarawa, offered invaluable fatherly advice as an esteemed royal figure.
Hon. Commissioner of Education, Kano State, Alhaji Haruna Doguwa, representing the Kano State Governor, warmly welcomed all esteemed guests to the summit, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, to advancing education. He provided illustrative examples of strategies and developmental strides made thus far, officially declaring the summit open. Hon. Commissioner of Higher Education, Kano State, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, graced the summit with his presence, reaffirming support and readiness to elevate the education sector to greater heights.
The distinguished sessions delved into multilayered aspects of education, ranging from “Exploring Adolescent Girls’ Education in Kano State” by Prof Ismaila Mohammed Zango to “Learning Poverty Assessment: Case Study of Kaduna State” by Dr. Baba Bukar Alhaji, the Statistician-General, Kaduna State. Parallel sessions include: “Assessment of the Current State of Education” by Mal. Mustapha Isyaku, “Addressing Educational Disparities and Inclusion” by Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, “Teacher Training and Professional Development” by Professor Ahmed Iliyasu, “Infrastructure and Safe Learning Environment” by Dr. Auwal Halilu, “Community Engagement, Parental, and Stakeholder Involvement” by Professor Muhammad Bello Shitu, “Utilizing Technology for Education” by Dr. Tanimu Adamu Ibrahim, Foundational Learning outcomes in Kano by PLANE and “Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development for Girls” by Professor Bala Ado Kofar Mata. Each session, chaired by eminent scholars and experts with distinguished discussants, offered profound reflections, actionable strategies, and collaborative initiatives to propel the education agenda forward.
Challenges
Identified challenges include:
- Gender Bias: Deep-seated cultural biases against female education hinder girls’ retention and completion rates, perpetuating educational disparities.
- Socioeconomic Inequality: Poverty-stricken families struggle to provide necessities for their children, leading to school dropouts due to a lack of funds for transportation, examination fees, and other essentials.
- Child Marriage: Cultural norms promoting child marriage among girls limit their educational opportunities, contributing to low retention and completion rates.
- Infrastructure and Resource Constraints: Inadequate funding and poor infrastructure in schools, including inadequate of classrooms, teaching materials, and qualified teachers, undermine the quality of education and hinder girls’ access.
- Limited Community Participation: Poor community engagement and support for girls’ education result in minimal efforts to address barriers to retention and completion.
- Technological and Digital Divides: Disparities in access to technology and digital resources exacerbate educational inequalities, particularly for girls in rural and underserved areas.
- Inadequate Teacher Training: Inadequate of professional development opportunities for teachers, especially in gender-sensitive education and inclusive classroom practices, affects the quality of education provided to girls.
- Limited opportunities for creativity in traditional education systems.
Recommendations
To overcome these challenges recommendations are vital which include:
- Strengthen Policy Implementation: Ensure effective implementation of existing policies to promote girls’ education and address barriers to retention and completion.
- Targeted Interventions: Implement targeted interventions to support economically disadvantaged families, such as providing scholarships, transportation assistance, and waivers for examination fees.
- Address Cultural Norms: Launch awareness campaigns to challenge harmful cultural norms and traditions that obstruct girls’ access to education, advocating for the importance of girls’ education in community development.
- Improve Infrastructure: Invest in improving school infrastructure, including building more classrooms, providing adequate teaching materials, and recruiting qualified teachers, especially in underserved areas.
- Enhance Community Engagement: Foster active participation of parents, community leaders, and stakeholders in girls’ education through sensitization programs, community dialogues, and collaboration with local organizations.
- Leverage Technology: Utilize technology and digital platforms to enhance educational access and quality, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and opportunities for girls.
- Prioritize Teacher Training: Provide comprehensive professional development opportunities for teachers, focusing on gender-sensitive education, inclusive classroom practices, and cultural competency.
- Promote Financial Assistance: Establish financial assistance programs and livelihood support for families to alleviate economic barriers hindering girls’ education.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Foster collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and communities to coordinate efforts and maximize impact in advancing girls’ education.
- Monitor and Evaluate: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, identify challenges, and adapt interventions accordingly, ensuring accountability and sustainability in girls’ education initiatives.
- Implement Integrated Arts and Project-Based Learning.
Conference Outputs
The summit generated insightful discussions and actionable recommendations, including developing a framework for education reform in Kano State. Key outputs included a conference communique, a comprehensive report, and identified partners and stakeholders committed to driving positive change in girls’ education.
Conclusion
The “Kano Education 2024 Summit” stands as a testament to the collective commitment towards advancing educational equity, inclusivity, and excellence in Kano State. As we chart a course toward the realization of transformative education, let us remain steadfast in our resolve, united in our purpose, and unwavering in our dedication to nurturing a generation empowered by knowledge, inclusivity, and opportunity.
In the pursuit of educational excellence, let us heed the sage counsel of eminent scholars and experts, whose insights illuminate the path forward. Together, let us embark on a journey of transformation, where education becomes not merely a privilege but a fundamental human right, enshrined in the fabric of our society (Kano State) and guiding our collective destiny.
Signed by:
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Habeeb Hassan El-Yakub (SA Vocational Education, Kano State) Hajia Mairo Bello Garko (AHIP)
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Ilyasu Muazu Sharada (Village Head) Rabiu Muhammad Isyaku Gama (Village Head)
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Prof. Ahmad Iliyasu (Dean, Faculty of Education, BUK) Dr. Auwal Halilu (CSACEFA)
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Hajia Aishatu Y. Maijama’a (ACF) Francis Ameh (PLANE) Alh Tijjani Haladu Baraya (SBMC Chairman)
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Muhammad Idris (PTA Chairman) Ibraheem Ladi Amosa (Communique Chairman)
