{Special Report+ PHOTOS}: Education with tears in Kano

By- Victor Christopher

One after another student of Rumawa Primary school in Ungogo Local Government Area gathers for another day of learning. But Instead of assembling in the fore-walls of a classroom, they sit on the bare floor in an open field with nothing but stones separating each class and pupils learning from blackboards carved on the back of a building.

In 2019, a heavy downpour destroyed the wooden Classrooms built by resident two years ago which forced the management of the school to hold classes in harsh conditions and sometimes skip academic activities, especially during raining season.

With over 600 pupils, Rumawa is the only Primary school in this community and due to its structure deficiency, academic activities lasts just three hours a day and is completely cancelled when it rains.

Hassana Hamisu and her twin sister Hassain are primary 5 pupils of this school. They say despite their best efforts, the harsh weather condition makes learning difficult.

“We want the State Government to intervene because we are studying under this harsh weather. At times, we can’t comprehend what is being taught in class. During the rainy season, we often get beaten by the rain before we reach home. We want the State Government to come to our aide and continue the construction of our school”, they said.

Another pupil, Jatillahi Mohammed laments the lack of amenities like chairs and desks, saying sitting on the floor has left huge stains on his white uniform.

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“We are not happy with our predicament. The State Governor should help us because we are learning in this harsh weather. I wash my school uniform daily because we seat on the floor. Please”.

To address the plights of these students, Ungogo LG in 2019, employed the services of a local contractor, Dan Maiwaina General Merchants LTD to build a block of 8 classrooms for Rumawa. But a year later, the project was abandoned as disclosed by the Ward Head of Rumawa, Zaharadeen Saleh Ibrahim.

“Honestly, the situation is bad because apart from the fact that there are no roofs in the School, the school have only two teachers. Once the rain comes, the school will go on a compulsory break. This is a failure to us. The local government started building a primary school in the community but the project was abandoned. We are pleading with the State Government to look into our plight and finish the construction of the school”.

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Though unable to confirm why the project was suspended, Chairman, Ungogo Local Government, Dr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, in a Statement explains that the contractor has received half payment for the job. Adding that funds for completion of the school will be given to the contractors for prompt action.

“The contractor had received more than half of the payment. I will invite the contractor for debriefing on the project after sending my technical team to access and quantify what the contractor has so far done. If the contractor is not sabotaging the project, we will release the balance for them to complete the project”.

But Attempts to contact the management of Dan Maiwaina General Merchants LTD, to speak on the abandoned school project was however unsuccessful.

But all hope is not lost for students of Rumawa Primary school, as Chairman, Kano State Basic Education Board, Dr Danlami Hayyo, in a chat with our Correspondent reveals that the government plans to disburse N20m to each of the 44 LGA for the renovation of public schools. Dr Hayyo further said special attention will be given to Rumawa once the funds have been approved.

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“The Rumawa project is not a SUBEB project, but we will ensure the prompt execution of the project. We are expecting that His excellency will give additional N20 million for the renovation of schools across the 44 local government to continue the projects”.

It is hoped that in line with Kano’s free and compulsory education policy, Communities like Rumawa will benefit from the N45.6bn budgeted to fund education projects in 2021.