In a surprise move, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has prohibited teachers from involving students in manual labour, both on and off school grounds. The governor’s directive, issued on Sunday, emphasizes that schools are meant for education and moral guidance, not hard labour.
Yusuf’s warning came after an unscheduled visit to the School for Arabic Studies in Kano, where he found students digging a toilet pipeline. The governor was visibly displeased and questioned the headmaster about assigning such tasks to students. Although the headmaster explained that the work was assigned after school hours, Yusuf ordered the practice to cease immediately.
In addition to banning child labour, Yusuf assured the school management that his administration would renovate all dilapidated buildings, including the attached mosque. He also instructed that any school projects be submitted to the Ministry of Education or his office for execution.
In a separate development, Yusuf inspected ongoing reconstruction projects at Kano Printing Press, which were damaged during the End-Bad-Governance protests. He directed the contractor to adhere strictly to the contract, expressing concerns that some structures did not meet government standards.
Yusuf, who has been in office since May 2023, has been working to improve education and infrastructure in Kano State.
His latest directive aims to protect the rights and well-being of students in the state.