Report by: Ali Sabo and Buhari Abba
Camera: Salim Sani Shehu
From time immemorial, girls have remained disadvantaged, marginalized especially when it comes to leadership and education as a result of sociocultural norms, religion, gender discrimination or even violence.
The plight of the girl child has continued to generate concerns for the international community, resulting in interventions by donor agencies and international communities. Despite putting so much resources both by the international communities and government, the issue of education in northern Nigeria especially to girl-child remains a mirage. This happens due to many factors one of which is the government in sincerity and sabotage from the politicians.
Community members gathered at the town ground center during a visit of CITAD Radio team
Taking the bold step to address some of these issues like the lack of chairs and unconducive environment of learning in the state, the Kano State government under Abba Kabir Yusuf budgeted N125.88billion, representing 28.78 percent of the 2024 total budget size to the education sector in the state. “What remains to be felt is the impact of the allocation not just crowd announcement” as stated by one of the community leaders in Dan Shayi Village in Rimin Gado Local Government
Dan Shayi, a remote community nestled within Rimin Gado Local Government Area, Kano State, sits about 40 kilometers from the state capital. The area is plagued by a series of challenges that have left its residents grappling with poor living conditions, despite repeated appeals for better governance.
One of the most pressing issues in Dan Shayi is the lack of infrastructure. The community’s only health facility, built five years ago, is woefully inadequate. With just a single bed, insufficient staff, and no electricity or medications, residents are forced to travel long distances for basic healthcare services. Pregnant women and patients in need of critical care face the daunting task of journeying to neighboring villages like Kwankwaso or Yalwan Danziyal, often with dire consequences.
Classrooms lack basic furniture
Also, the community people grapple with multiple challenges to educate their children, as the challenges are to enormous to handle by these poor rural people. The absence of a secondary school in the community has placed a heavy burden on families, particularly when it comes to educating their female children. The state government’s promise of free and compulsory basic education remains out of reach for many, as students must travel up to 20 kilometers to continue their studies beyond primary school. The journey, made treacherous by poor road conditions, often necessitates the use of bicycles or motorcycles—modes of transport not easily accessible to everyone.
Commenting on the issue of the free and compulsory education in the state, a community member who asked not be mentioned in the report stated that “the issue of free and compulsory education is the biggest scam of the century, according him, how can education be compulsory when there is no school for children to attend.
Malam Bala Sani, the Ward Head of Dan Shayi Yamma, highlighted the struggles faced by the community. “We don’t have a secondary school here. Those who want to go have to trek all the way to Karofin Yashi, Yalwan Danziyal or Kwankwaso. For ladies, especially during the rainy season, it’s almost impossible due to the rivers surrounding us and the poor roads,” he shared. The situation has led many parents to either relocate their daughters for schooling or, in some cases, abandon their education entirely.
Malam Bala Sani, the Ward Head of Dan Shayi Yamma
In the lone primary school in Dan Shayi, the conditions are far away from conducive. Classrooms lack basic furniture, and parts of the building have been severely damaged by storms. The neglect has left parts of the structure exposed to the elements, turning the ceilings into homes for birds and rats.
Classrooms lack basic furniture
Residents also face the daily struggle of living without potable water and reliable electricity. “We have been waiting for years for the power grid to reach us. Poles have been erected, but no electricity has ever come,” Malam Sani remarked.
Despite their hardships, the community’s residents are disillusioned by the political process. “Politicians only come here once every four years, during election campaigns. They promise us everything, but once elected, nothing changes,” the ward head expressed with frustration.
A girl from karofin yashi hawking due to the lack of School Infrastructures that will give them good conducive enviroment
For Dan Shayi, the road to progress remains long and uncertain, with the community’s hopes for better living conditions hanging in the balance as they await meaningful intervention from both local and state governments.