By Usman Usman Garba
The Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has launched the 2026/2027 Statewide Enrolment Drive Campaign in Karaye Emirate, with a renewed commitment to ensuring that all school-age children are enrolled, retained and supported to complete basic education.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of UBEC, the Kano State Coordinator, Malam Abdulrahman Musa, said the campaign is aimed at mobilising parents and communities to enrol children aged 6–11 and facilitate the return of out-of-school children to classrooms across the state’s 44 Local Government Education Authorities.
He stressed that the campaign goes beyond initial enrolment, noting that regular attendance, retention and completion are equally important.
He said particular attention would be given to girls, children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Musa called on parents, traditional leaders, teachers and school administrators to support the campaign and provide safe, welcoming and conducive learning environments for children.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, represented by the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Education, Malam Haladu Muhammad, called on communities, parents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that all out-of-school children return to school.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that every child who has attained the age of six and is ready for Primary One is enrolled at the appropriate age.
The Commissioner said the initiative aligns with the vision of the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
He assured that the Ministry of Education would continue to work with communities and traditional leaders to sustain the gains recorded in the education sector and take them to greater heights.
In her remarks, the guest speaker, Prof. Aisha Abdul Ismail, urged stakeholders to identify and address the challenges responsible for keeping children out of school.
She stressed the need to ensure that enrolled children remain in school until completion, while calling for greater attention to girls, children with disabilities and other underserved and vulnerable children.
Prof. Ismail noted that effective collaboration among schools, Local Government Councils, traditional leaders, parents and communities is essential to achieving universal enrolment and retention.
She consequently urged stakeholders to become “Enrolment Champions” by mobilising their communities, identifying out-of-school children and supporting their enrolment, retention and successful completion of basic education.
The Emir of Karaye, His Highness Muhammad Maharaz, called on all stakeholders and individuals to support the campaign by ensuring that children are enrolled, retained and supported to complete their education.
He urged UBEC and SUBEB to strengthen Nomadic Education and ensure that nomadic children have access to quality education wherever they reside.
The Emir also called for greater collaboration between UBEC and state governments to reduce the number of out-of-school children and support Qur’anic schools with Western education.
He directed District Heads, Village Heads, Ward Heads and Imams across the Karaye Emirate to support the campaign and commended the organisers for choosing the emirate to host the flag-off ceremony.
In his vote of thanks, the Acting Chairman of SUBEB and Commissioner I, Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, called on parents and the general public to support the campaign by enrolling their children in school and ensuring that they remain in school until completion.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to improving education in Kano State through the construction of new schools and classrooms, renovation of existing facilities, provision of furniture and teaching materials, as well as the prompt payment of salaries and promotion of teachers and non-teaching staff.
