Kano Students Learn in Dilapidated Classrooms Despite Billions Allocated to Education.

Despite receiving billions of naira in education funding over recent years, public school students in Kano State are reportedly learning in dangerously deteriorated classrooms with collapsed roofs, cracked walls, and poor facilities.

A recent investigation reveals the troubling state of basic education infrastructure in Kano, where several public primary and secondary schools remain in ruins. In many schools, pupils sit on bare floors or share broken desks in open-air classes, even during rainy seasons.

Some classrooms are roofless, exposing students and teachers to harsh weather, while others have partially collapsed walls, raising serious safety concerns. Teachers also lament the lack of teaching materials, staff welfare, and a conducive environment to facilitate meaningful learning.

This crisis stands in sharp contrast to the billions allocated to education in Kano’s annual budgets. In 2023 alone, the state reportedly earmarked over ₦37 billion for the education sector, including basic education interventions, infrastructure, and teacher recruitment.

Civil society groups and education advocates are now calling on the Kano State Government to account for how the funds have been utilized. Many are demanding immediate action to renovate dilapidated schools and improve learning conditions for thousands of children across the state.

The public outcry is further fueled by images and videos shared on social media showing young pupils learning under trees or inside dangerously crumbling classrooms. Residents fear that, if urgent steps are not taken, more schools may collapse completely, putting the lives of children and staff at risk.

Kano, one of Nigeria’s most populous states, has historically struggled with education challenges including high dropout rates, overcrowded classrooms, and underpaid teachers. The current situation raises questions about the transparency and effectiveness of government spending in the state’s education system.