Hanifa Abubakar: SERAP Knocks Ganduje Over Withdrawal Of Kano Private Schools’ Licenses

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the withdrawal of the operating licenses of all private schools in Kano State by the Abdullahi Ganduje administration.

Naija News recalls that the state Commissioner of Education, Sunusi Sa’id Kiru had on Monday announced the withdrawal of the operating licenses of all private schools in the state.

He stated that the state government took the action based on the case of 5-year-old Hanifa Abubakar who was kidnapped and subsequently murdered by Abdulmalik Tanko, the proprietor of the school she attends, Noble Kids Academy.

Kiru revealed that a committee consisting of officials from the State Ministries of Education, Justice as well as security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders will now be constituted to review and validate the licenses of private schools in the state.

Reacting to the development via its Twitter handle on Tuesday, SERAP condemned the action of the state government, saying that the withdrawal of the licenses was too extreme.

SERAP advised Governor Ganduje to repeal the action as this may worsen the number of out-of-school children.

The civil organisation said Kano state had the highest number of children out of school already with 989,234.

It said, “We urge Kano State governor @GovUmarGanduje to immediately rescind the arbitrary suspension of permits for all private schools in the state.

“Kano has the highest number of out-of-school-children (989,234). This blanket closure will drive more children to the street.”

BREAKING: We urge Kano state governor @GovUmarGanduje to immediately rescind the arbitrary suspension of permits for ALL private schools in the state.

Kano has the highest number of out-of-school-children [989,234].

This blanket closure will drive more children to the street.

— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) January 25, 2022