How lack of Senior Secondary School threatens girls’ child education in Kano community
In Turawa, a densely populated community of about 13 kilometres away from Karaye town in Kano State, the educational dreams of many children, especially girls, are being cut short after Junior Secondary School.
With an estimated population of over 5,000 people, the community lacks a senior secondary school, leaving many poor families with no option but to watch their children abandon their education after JSS 3.
Despite widespread advocacy for girl-child education across Nigeria, the situation in Turawa remains dire. In the absence of opportunities to continue schooling, many girls are forced into early marriage shortly after completing junior secondary school.
“Even if we want to send our children to Karaye town for school, it’s very difficult,” said Kamal Abba, a resident of the community.
“The town is about 14 kilometers away. How do you expect us to afford daily transportation in this harsh economic situation? People here are struggling to buy food, let alone pay for transport.”
He added that even walking to school is not practical. “It would take hours to get there on foot, and by the time the children arrive, classes have already started. Some boys manage to ride bicycles, but what about the girls?”
This lack of access is discouraging many families from even considering further education, especially for their daughters. With no affordable or safe means to reach nearby towns, early marriage becomes the only option for many young girls.
Residents believe that this growing trend is robbing their daughters of a future and weakening the entire community.
“If our girls are educated, they can become nurses, teachers, and midwives,” Kamal said. “We don’t have enough health workers or teachers here. Educating our children, especially the girls, would help develop our community.”
Abba Auwal, a teacher at the only school in the area, Government Junior Secondary School Turawa, said most of their students have little or no hope of continuing their education.
“Almost all our students feel hopeless about furthering their studies because there’s no senior secondary school here,” he said. “If they want to continue, they only have two choices: go to Karaye town or Gwarzo, both of which are far from here. And the roads are in terrible condition. There’s a large stream along the road that often floods, making travel risky. Parents can’t put their children’s lives in danger.”
“Sometimes I feel like crying when I see how the future of some of our most talented students is being wasted. They come to us with their dreams and ambitions, but there’s nothing we can do to help them.”
Eighteen-year-old Fatima Mikidat Abdullahi is one of the many girls affected. She completed junior secondary school several years ago but has not been able to continue her education.
“Since I finished junior secondary school, I’ve been at home with no hope of going further,” she said. “I want to become a doctor, that’s my dream. But I don’t know how that dream will ever come true. The only option is to go to a boarding school in Gwarzo, but my parents can’t afford it. That’s why I’m still at home.”
“Some of my friends are married. I’m now considering the same because I don’t see any future in continuing my education.”
Ashiru Ahamed, a parent in the community, shared his concern with SolaceBase.
“I have four daughters in JSS 3. They’ll soon finish, and I’m worried about how they’ll continue. I want them to be educated, but I can’t afford to send them to boarding school. The nearest day school is in Karaye, and it’s too far. The road is bad, and I can’t risk sending my daughters.”
He appealed to the state government to come to their aid by building a senior secondary school in the community.
“Our community is large and growing. The government can build a senior secondary school here. I’m pleading with them to come and help us.”
Nazifi Ibrahim Muhammad, a representative of the village head and chairman of the Turawa Ward Development Committee, said they have been fighting for a senior secondary school for years, without success.
“We have several primary schools that produce students every year, but the only secondary school here stops at JSS 3. Boys and girls attend the same school, but once they finish, there’s nowhere to go,” he said.
“We’ve written letters to the Karaye Education Secretary and the Kano State Ministry of Education, but nothing has been done.”
“We are not asking for too much,” Nazifi pleaded. “We just want our children to have the chance to continue their education like other children in the cities. Let the government hear our cry. Our daughters are being left behind.”
SolaceBase contacted the Kano State Ministry of Education to get their response. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ministry, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, said that community leaders should form a group and write a formal letter addressed to the ministry. In the letter, they should clearly state their request and explain why a senior secondary school is needed in their community.
“It’s unfortunate to hear that they’ve been writing letters without receiving any response. This time, tell them to bring the letter directly to me. I will forward it to the appropriate office for action, and we will ensure the necessary steps are taken,” he said.
Now, parents and community leaders are calling on the Kano State Government and education stakeholders to urgently establish a senior secondary school in Turawa. They believe this will not only save the future of hundreds of children but also lift the community out of poverty and ignorance.
For now, the future of Turawa’s daughters hangs in the balance, caught between the dream of education and the reality of distance and poverty.
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