Education experts in Kano State are calling for a change in how people view teaching. They believe teaching should be a respected profession, not just a backup option when other jobs are unavailable.
These concerns were discussed at a recent roundtable event organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD). Speakers emphasized that the quality of education depends on passionate and well-trained teachers.
Educationist Mijitapha Rano stressed the importance of training teachers regularly. He pointed out that teachers should receive subject-based training to improve their knowledge and skills.
“For example, English teachers should be trained in English, and Mathematics teachers should be trained in Mathematics. A general training for all subjects is not effective,” he said.
Stakeholders also raised concerns about political interference in hiring teachers. They said unqualified individuals are sometimes given teaching jobs while capable candidates are overlooked.
Another major issue is overcrowded classrooms. Experts explained that when classrooms are too full, teachers struggle to give students proper attention. This affects students’ learning and overall performance.
Speakers also questioned why education leaders, such as commissioners, often lack a background in education.
“In the health sector, commissioners are always professionals. Why should education be any different?” one speaker asked.
Experts urged the government to ensure that future education leaders have relevant experience to make better decisions.
Professor Garba Sa’ad from Bayero University highlighted another challenge: poor quality assurance. He explained that many officers responsible for checking school standards lack the resources they need.
“How can they inspect schools properly without vehicles or allowances?” he asked.
To fix this, experts suggested setting up fully funded quality assurance offices in every educational zone. They also recommended annual education quality assurance conferences to track progress.
Experts believe communities should play a bigger role in improving schools. They stressed that education is a shared responsibility and urged parents and local leaders to help monitor schools.
Without urgent reforms, the experts warned that teaching standards in Kano State will continue to decline. They called on the government to take immediate action to improve teacher training, recruitment, and overall education quality.
