…..As the Committee Submits its Report
By Rabiu Sanusi
Kano Ministerial Committee on Land Encroachment and Trespass in Schools has submitted it’s final report after visiting over 160 affected public schools across the 44 Local Government Areas of the State.
It could be recalled that on 22nd February, 2024, 16-member committee on land encroachment and trespass in school was set up by the state to identify schools affected with problems of trespass or encroachment and examine their level in the vulnerable schools.
Presenting the final report of the committee findings to the Commissioner of Education today Friday, the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Habib Hassan El-Yakub maintained that upon the inauguration of the committee, the members mobilised for the pursuit of the assignment by going round all the identified schools to access the level of trespass or encroachment.
The Chairman disclosed that the committee had classified the schools visited in to three categories which include schools that have wall fence, schools that are requiring wall fencing as well as schools that need urgent government attention.
” The Hon Commissioner, I want to inform you that out of the 162 schools visited by the committee, 72 of them have wall fence, 90 of the schools need to have wall fence while 42 of them need urgent government attention to save them from the situation they found themselves.
” This committee had experienced a lot of challenges while discharging it’s assigned responsibilities which can be attributed to some people attitudes towards land and how the immediate past administration allocated schools land to individuals rampantly ” he explained.
Alhaji Habib Hassan revealed that the Committee had come out with general recommendations in line with it’s findings for the benefit of other stakeholders within and outside the educational sector.
He expressed optimism that the administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf would put in to considerations the recommendation made by the committee in it’s effort to improve learning environment in the state.
” We really thank the ministry for finding us worthy of the assignment and I believe His Excellency the Governor while receiving this report, is going to do what is possible to save our schools from the menace of land encroachment and trespass.”
Receiving the report today Friday in his office, the state commissioner of education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa assured full implementation of the report of the Ministerial Committee.
He said considering the composition of the right people involved in the committee, the members had done what is required from them by the given terms of references.
Doguwa therefore commended the members for their good work and timely completion of the assignment which he described as sign of patriotism and commitment.
The Commissioner however lamented that the menace of trespass and land encroachment in school had been undermining the progress of schools in the state, stressing that the present administration is taking serious measures to address the situation.
” I want to assure you that the present administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf is fully committed towards providing conducive learning environment for the future generations, and that what necessitated the setting of this committee which today presents it’s report”
“This administration is going to take rigorous decision to what is been submitted as report of the committee.
“Our doors will remain opened for any other advice or observations as regard to how we can collectively overcome the menace of schools encroachment.