Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has issued a stern directive prohibiting teachers from engaging students in manual labour, whether on or off school premises. This announcement was made following an unscheduled visit to the School for Arabic Studies in Kano, where the governor witnessed students digging a toilet pipeline.
Governor Yusuf, visibly displeased with the discovery, immediately questioned the headmaster regarding the assignment of such laborious tasks to students. The headmaster explained that the work was assigned after school hours, but the governor insisted that schools should be centers for education and moral development, not sites for manual labour.
According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, on Monday, the governor emphasized that forcing students into strenuous physical tasks is unacceptable and ordered an immediate halt to the practice.
Governor Yusuf reassured school administrators that his administration is committed to improving learning environments. As part of this commitment, he pledged to renovate all dilapidated school buildings, including the mosque attached to the School for Arabic Studies. He also directed that any school-related construction projects be submitted to the Ministry of Education or his office for proper execution.
Beyond the school inspection, Governor Yusuf also visited the Kano Printing Press, where reconstruction work is underway to repair structures damaged during the End-Bad-Governance protests. Expressing concern over the quality of some of the work, he instructed contractors to strictly adhere to the government’s standards to ensure that public resources are properly utilized.
Governor Yusuf’s directive highlights his administration’s commitment to upholding the rights of students and ensuring that educational institutions focus on academic excellence rather than using students for menial tasks.
This policy marks a significant step in prioritizing student welfare and fostering an environment where education is truly the primary focus. The governor’s emphasis on renovating school infrastructure further demonstrates a proactive approach to improving the overall quality of education in Kano State.
His administration continues to take a firm stance on accountability, ensuring that educational resources are directed toward student development and institutional growth rather than misplaced labour practices.
