Why over 870,000 children are out of school in Kano – Report

Over 870,000 children in Kano State, Nigeria, are currently out of school, according to a recent survey commissioned by the state's Ministry of Education and the State Bureau of Statistics. The findings, released in April after a four-month investigation, reveal that 13.4 per cent of the state’s school-age population, aged five to 18, are not attending school, despite overwhelming parental support for education. The survey, which covered all 44 local government areas, identified financial constraints, distance to schools, and domestic responsibilities as key obstacles to enrollment and retention. The study, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), assessed 1,783 households and 13,915 individuals, including 7,013 children. It found that 86.6 per cent of children were enrolled in school, while 13.4 per cent were not. Among those out of school, males outnumbered females by a margin of 54 to 46. The survey also noted that nearly 7 per cent of the children had never attended school, while another 6.37 per cent had dropped out after initial enrollment. The survey results directly contradict longstanding assumptions that cultural resistance or traditional values are primarily responsible for the education gap in northern Nigeria. Instead, the findings highlight systemic issues within the education infrastructure. According to the report, 99.6 per cent of the parents surveyed expressed either “important” or “very important” views on the value of education for their children. Only one parent among the 1,783 interviewed did not consider education essential for their children. State Commissioner for Education, Ali Makoda, presented the survey findings to stakeholders and the media last Thursday. He emphasized that the initiative aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing children in Kano. The data collected will be broken down by gender, age, and geographical location to pinpoint specific areas requiring intervention. This detailed breakdown will enable policymakers and development partners to create more effective strategies to increase school enrollment and improve retention rates. The survey also examined the reasons behind the high dropout rate. Financial barriers were cited as the main obstacle, with 22.3 per cent of parents unable to cover the costs associated with schooling. Limited access to schools was the second major concern, affecting 17.2 per cent of families. Other contributing factors included the long distances students must travel to reach schools, domestic duties that prevent attendance, and the prevalence of early marriages and child labor. The report underscores the need for improved access to education, particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce. It calls for increased investment in school infrastructure, teacher training, and community engagement programs to address the root causes of the education crisis. The findings align with broader goals under Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030. The survey also shed light on gender disparities in education. While the overall percentage of out-of-school children remained relatively balanced between genders, certain regions showed higher numbers of girls missing out on schooling. The report suggests that addressing this imbalance requires targeted efforts to promote girls' education and combat societal norms that discourage female participation in formal learning environments. The study also touched upon the Almajiri system, a traditional Islamic education model prevalent in parts of northern Nigeria. While the survey did not fully explore its impact, it acknowledged that such systems often compete with formal schooling, potentially influencing enrollment rates. Further research is needed to understand how these alternative forms of education interact with the formal system and affect overall access to schooling. The release of the survey marks a critical step in identifying the real challenges facing Kano’s education sector. With the data now available, the state government can begin implementing policies tailored to the specific needs of different communities. The next phase involves analyzing the survey results in detail and developing actionable plans to expand access to education, reduce dropout rates, and ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn.