Monarch, clerics raise concern over state of education in Northern Nigeria

Traditional rulers and Islamic clerics have raised concerns over the state of education in Northern Nigeria.

The Emir of Kazaure, Dr. Najib Hussain Adamu raised his concerns while commenting on the state of education when he received the Jigawa Education Partners in his palace.

Reports indicate that out of the over 13 million out of school children in Nigeria, over 60% of them are in Northern Nigeria and 7.93 million of those children are girls”.

He explained that the present state of education in Northern Nigeria is the result of out of school children, resulting in poverty, insecurity and other problems in the region on the long run.

“People are resistant to take their children to school because our education system is in a state of coma” the Emir stated.

“95% of our teachers are not qualified, our learning environments are in a sorry situation, and our schools also lack teaching aids” the Emir stated.

The Emir, however, urged governments, stakeholders and donors to intensify efforts to address the problems.

Meanwhile, the Islamic clerics identified poverty and illiteracy among rural parents as the major factors retarding the development of education, especially that of the girl child.

Earlier, the Chairman, Jigawa Education Partners Tasiu Abubakar said, despite the billions of naira budgeted for education and the Free Girl Child Education Policy in the state, there are certain socio-cultural barriers hindering girl enrolment in the state.

He noted that advocacy and engagement with religious and traditional leaders would help in addressing the problems.