The Urgent Need for Reform in Kano’s Educational Sector
By:- Bala Salihu Dawakin kudu.
Northern Bureau Chief
November 30, 2024
The educational sector in Kano State is currently plagued with disturbing and disheartening issues that require immediate attention. A significant concern lies within the State Primary Education Board, where a troubling trend has emerged: numerous teachers on the government payroll are abandoning their official duties in public schools to work at private schools across the state. This double-dipping practice not only compromises the quality of education in public schools but also represents a betrayal of public trust.
These teachers, whose names appear on the government payroll, collect salaries and allowances from the state while simultaneously earning income from private schools. In many cases, they have entirely abandoned their classrooms in public schools, depriving students of the education they deserve. This situation is exacerbated by the complicity of private schools, which collect hefty fees from parents while benefiting from these government-funded teachers.
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The Extent of the Problem
Investigations have revealed that some teachers have spent several years working in private schools while enjoying regular promotions and benefits on the government payroll. Shockingly, a single private school may have as many as five teachers posted from government schools. These individuals often use their time in private schools to further their studies for higher degrees and certificates, all while continuing to receive salaries and allowances from the state.
The issue is not limited to primary school teachers. Some teachers transferred to tertiary institutions and secondary schools have been found engaging in similar practices. Despite directives from the current administration to return to their original postings, many remain absent, relying on incentives given to substitute staff to cover their tracks.
Education secretaries and private schools are complicit in this crisis. Reports suggest that some education secretaries benefit financially from facilitating the posting of government teachers to private and community schools. Private schools, on the other hand, exploit this arrangement to maximize profits. They enforce high school fees, charge exorbitant prices for textbooks, and demand additional payments for excursions and other activities, all while avoiding the cost of recruiting their own teachers.
Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration must address these issues head-on to restore the integrity of the educational sector in Kano State.
All teachers on the government payroll who are posted to private, voluntary, or community schools should be recalled to public schools. This will help alleviate the problem of teacher shortages in public schools. A committee should be established to investigate the extent of this malpractice. This committee must ensure transparency and accountability by thoroughly examining the postings and duties of all teachers in the state. Teachers found guilty of abandoning their public school responsibilities for private work should face strict disciplinary measures, including termination or salary deductions.
The government should enforce stricter regulations on private schools to ensure they recruit qualified teachers independently without relying on government resources. Therefore, Parents and community members should be sensitized about these issues to garner support for reforms aimed at sanitizing the education system.
The present administration should enforce regular and unannounced inspections of schools should be conducted to ensure teachers are present at their duty posts.
The current state of Kano’s educational sector is unacceptable and demands urgent reform. The government must act decisively to recall teachers serving in private schools, hold accountable those exploiting the system, and restore the quality of education in public schools. Parents and the general public should remain patient and supportive of these efforts, as they are vital for creating a dynamic and effective educational sector that will serve the best interests of Kano’s future generations.
The time for action is now, and it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to address these lingering challenges and uphold the sanctity of education in Kano State.
