Education
‘180 students occupy room of 20 at Kaduna college’ – Daily Trust
Following overcrowding occasioned by inadequate infrastructure, the purported plan by the state government to sell the staff quarters and some land of Queen Amina College, Kaduna, is raising dust.
The school, Daily Trust gathered, is facing severe overcrowding as it is reported that 180 students occupy a room meant for 20 or 30 students, with three girls often forced to share a single 6-inch spring bed due to lack of adequate accommodation.
Daily Trust reports that just like Queen Amina College, other state government-owned schools are facing similar fate, some of which are the Government College, Kurmin Mashi, the Sardauna Memorial College (SMC) and Rimi College all within the state metropolis.
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Daily Trust recalled that in 2017, the Kaduna State government published an invitation to bid and the approved guidelines for public auction of state government’s residential quarters to public servants and the general public.
The government of Malam Nasir El-Rufai had exempted the sales of some categories of government residential houses. It particularly exempted the sale of institutional quarters of all hospitals, schools and other related facilities in the state.
But in 2021, the state government’s Committee on the Sale of Government Residential Quarters allocated the quarters of Government Secondary School, Kaduna, without the knowledge of the civil servants/teachers who had occupied the residence for many years, rendering them homeless. Teachers of Queen Amina College are facing the same fate.
‘Old girls say move will hinder girl-child education’
One of the old girls, Mrs Hariratu Maina Mohammed, appealed to the state government to reconsider the sales of the staff quarters and other available lands, saying the land was meant for development.
She said, “We write to express our profound concern over the Kaduna State government’s decision to sell Queen Amina College’s Staff Quarters and other available lands meant for development. This action stands to have severe repercussions not only for the dedicated staff but also for the students, and it threatens the future of this historic institution.
“Queen Amina College is already struggling with severe overcrowding. Each dormitory houses an average of 180 as against 20 to 30 students that it used to be, with three girls often forced to share a single 6-inch spring bed—conditions worse than sardines in a can. It was so disheartening when we met some students spreading and sleeping on their wrappers on the floor. Sanitary facilities are woefully inadequate, and no new dormitories have been built for decades, despite the continued surge in student population.
“The dining hall is dilapidated and far too small, forcing students to eat in shifts, while most times eating outside under trees, resulting in significant delays. The kitchen, meanwhile, is crumbling and barely functional. These deficiencies in basic infrastructure are compounded by the absence of modern amenities critical to the students’ development and well-being.
“One would expect the government to prioritise expanding school facilities to alleviate these pressing issues. Yet, instead of acquiring additional properties around the school to support future growth, the government is reducing the available space by selling essential staff quarters and other available lands. This decision is not only shortsighted but also poses a security risk, as it brings outsiders closer to the students, potentially compromising their moral development.”
‘Negative impact extending to teaching staff’
A teacher who spoke on continuing anonymity said teachers in the school were already enduring inadequate accommodation, and many commute long distances, dampening the morale and dedication.
She said, “The proximity of teachers’ quarters once provided immediate access in emergencies, fostering a safe and supportive environment for both students and staff. This critical support system is now under threat.”
She disclosed that the removal of staff accommodation increased stress and distance for teachers, ultimately detracting from the quality of education and support they can provide.
Another teacher said the decision would displace many teachers and cause undue hardship, especially under the current situation the country is facing.
She said, “Many teachers like me will be put in a very bad situation because we would have to look for accommodation outside the school premises.”
She called on the state government to look into their plight and that of other teachers in government schools.
Call to action
The old girls while expressing their displeasure stressed that policies should be tailored to address local challenges, not mimic foreign models that disregard the country’s unique circumstances. “If the government cannot secure more land to support the growth of Queen Amina College, it should not deprive the school of space dedicated to its development for over fifty years. There is ample land in Kaduna for new estates; there is no justification for sacrificing the future of our school in this way.
“We implore you to visit Queen Amina College and witness these conditions firsthand. Our hope is that you will see the urgent need for your intervention to protect the voiceless students, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds and depend on this institution for a brighter future,” she stated.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, said he had not been properly briefed on the matter.
He promised to get across to our correspondent when he gets the requisite information.
KDSG revokes sale of houses within legacy schools
On Monday night, Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, announced the revocation of houses within legacy schools in a statement.
The statement, which he personally signed, read, “In line with its commitment to human capital development and to ensure conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in schools, the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani had revoked all previous sales of institutional houses and land allocations within Alhuda-huda College, Zaria, Queen Amina College, Kaduna and Government Commercial College, Zaria for overriding public interest and for the common good.
“The revocation was approved last year and the revocation order has been conveyed to all allottees, while steps are being taken to refund amounts paid in respect of the sold houses as directed by His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State.
“As one of the key pillars of His Excellency’s Human Capital Development, Senator Uba Sani noted that effective learning can best take place in a conducive atmosphere without distractions and sundry interferences.
“The Governor has always argued that education is not just a leveller but also a ladder for upward mobility which can transform lives and improve livelihoods.
“To secure the future of our children, the Governor has been expanding access to education in the last two years, by bridging the infrastructural deficit at both primary and secondary schools across Kaduna State.
“In fact, one of the first decisions that His Excellency took upon assuming office was the slashing of the school fees of Kaduna State-own tertiary institutions on August 21, 2023.
“Apart from tertiary institutions, the Senator Uba Sani administration has also improved access by building new primary and secondary schools as well as blocks of classrooms since he became Governor of Kaduna State.
“Indeed, the Senator Uba Sani administration has built over 2,336 new classrooms, renovated more than 707 others and provided 3,704 and 30,742 furniture, for teachers and pupils respectively.
Similarly, Kaduna State Government has sunk 51 boreholes, provided 918 cubicle toilets for both pupils’ and teachers’ use in all the Local Governments to make learning more conducive.”