Gov Yusuf reveals how Ganduje caused woes of education in Kano

*Says excavating public schools is breach of public trust

By KEMI KASUMU

Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has revealed with strong condemnation the appropriation of public school grounds for private commercial ventures by the previous administration as a flagrant breach of communal trust.

Although the Governor did not mention names, The DEFENDER reports that the previous administration under reference was headed by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who is currently the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.

He made this revelation while delivering his statement on the occasion of declaration of a State of Emergency on Education in state, held at the Open Arena of Kano Government House, on Saturday June 8, 2024.

Expressing disapproval of the former administration’s negligent stance towards education, Governor Yusuf criticized the emphasis placed by the previous regime on the commercial exploitation of school properties.

Upon assuming office on May 29, he said that his administration was confronted with the alarming reality of over 4.7 million students relegated to sitting on bare floors in primary schools across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Governor Yusuf emphasized that the decision of the state government to declare an educational emergency was supported by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), highlighting the urgent need for immediate action.

He said that, besides the deficiency of fundamental teaching tools, the dire situation was exacerbated by the insufficiency of resources, leaving educators and students struggling with outmoded and inadequate equipment.

In a resolute manner, Governor Yusuf underscored the imperative of addressing the current crisis in the education sector, acknowledging education as the primary concern and a significant legacy for future generations.

Recognizing that the caliber of education shapes a society’s progress, he vowed to implement bold and practical initiatives to rejuvenate the educational structure in the state.

Additionally, Governor Yusuf expressed sorrow over the escalating problem of out-of-school children, with nearly a million youngsters currently denied access to educational opportunities.

He elaborated on the dismal state of the educational domain, once a beacon of hope and a model to emulate, now overshadowed by neglect and decline.