1st December, 2023
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
The Ward Head of Sharada, Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Alhaji Ilyasu Mua’azu has observed that qualifying and entrance examinations have remained hindrance to massive enrolment and completion of basic and tertiary education for girls in Kano state.
He regretted the fact that even though the majority of the girls do not have equal access to qualitative education, they are faced with the same conditions during qualifying examinations, a situation which results in dropping out of school by those who could not cope.
He spoke on Thursday during the dissemination of baseline survey findings in Nassarawa and Kano Municipal Local Government Areas, tagged: “Inclusive Action for Adolescent Girls Education in Kano state (I-AGE), organized by the Adolescent Health and Information Project (AHIP).
Furthermore, he advocated for the scrapping of qualifying examinations in Kano Secondary Schools.
Alhaji Mua’azu maintained that qualifying examinations are the major factor militating against girls’ education in Kano state.
According to him, “In the olden days, we were allowed to write mock examinations, which motivated students to redouble their efforts in exhibiting reading culture, and came out with flying colours, but today, the reverse is the case.”
Another community Leader, Malam Suleiman Rabiu Kofar Nassarawa, supported Alhaji Mua’azu’s submission, pointing out that most students drop out from their schools due to their inability to pass the qualifying examinations, even as their parents cannot afford to pay the examination fees.
In his presentation, the Facilitator, Salisu Galadima said the programme focused on how to improve school retention and completion rate for adolescent girls in Kano State.
“This intervention seeks to improve school retention and completion rate for adolescent girls in Kano State, Nigeria through the deployment of the Gender Empowerment and Development Organising Resources (GEADOR) strategy for mobilizing key stakeholders and resources for facilitating increased retention and completion rates in the target state, ” he added.
AHIP Programme Officer, Hajiya Amina Raji said, “Today’s event: baseline validation meeting is designed to give feedback about findings from the baseline and accountability survey.
“The meeting will also identify already existing practices and strategies to partner with in communities to improve girl child retention and completion of their education.
“They will also ensure demonstration of accountability and strengthen partnerships with communities, CBOs and traditional institutions for additional support and resources.”
Our Correspondent reports that the survey conducted by I-AGE discovered that, poverty contributes to about 90 per cent of student dropouts, especially among girls’ secondary Schools in Nasarawa and Kano Municipal local government area.
Communities, where the surveys were carried out include Kawaji, Gwagwarwa, Gama, Tokarawa Gandun Albasa, Sharada and Kofar Nassarawa.
All the participants expressed satisfaction with the survey, and urged the government, at all levels, to expedite action to promote enrolment, retention and completion of girls’ education.