Umar Idris Shuaibu
The then Kano State Government enacted a law in 1977 and the same law was amended in 1978, to establish Science Secondary Schools Management Board.
The Objective of establishing the Board is to produce Secondary School graduates that can qualify for admission into tertiary institutions, with the sole aim of producing medical Doctors, Engineers, Technicians, Scientists, Teachers, and other professionals in different places of expertise that will sufficiently serve the state and beyond.
Initially, the Board established two Science Schools one at Dawakin Kudu and the other at Dawakin Tofa.
These schools are strategically located close to Kano metropolitan for easy access to the city by the teachers who are envisaged to be recruited from overseas and equally for their Nigerian and African counterparts of similar backgrounds.
As earlier mentioned, the then government demonstrated its determination by providing class structures, teachers, instructional materials, of course, a student enrolled on merit and fed with food, that many cannot afford to boast of in their houses.
This arrangement has over the years justified the government investment with the graduates of these schools being everywhere in Kano and Jigawa and beyond in various fields of human life.
But the current status of these schools with additional after the first two is in dilapidated condition due to the lack of maintenance from the recent governments.
But the bitter truth is, one does expect the school environment to be the same even with routine maintenance.
The situation now is so pathetic with almost more than two percent current student population of 423 compared with the 162 initially admitted for the 1977/1978 session, especially with no corresponding improvement in infrastructure, furniture, hostels, classes, and toilets.
This results in congestion in classes, laboratories, and hostels, and dilapidated conditions of the dining hall.
But the notion that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibilities and problems of these Science Colleges, is why the umbrella body of the Kano Old Science Schools Students Association, popularly known as KASSOSA intervene in so many areas with a view to improving the existing situation.
One must appreciate the training given to them as they are now paying back what the government invested in them.
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Currently, the school records indicated several interventions by the members of KASSOSA not only in the first two schools but for the entire science schools in Kano and Jigawa.
Reports say that from 2009 to date, 21 out of the 41 class chapters have intervened in the schools 16 times.
The interventions, however, cover the construction of hostels, and toilets, renovation of various infrastructure, and donations of teaching aides, drugs, and computers among others.
This effort by KASSOSA members made the condition of the schools far better compared to others with no such interventions.
Last year, many witnessed a fundraising event organized by the KASSOSA National Body, where they targeted N950, with a vision to rescue the Science Schools in Kano and Jigawa.
They are lucky to raise over forty million Naira from donations and pledges made by the members of the Association.
The report says part of this raised amount will be used to build the association secretariat and renovations of the schools.
And in Science College Dawakin Kudu, the class 1981 chapter of the institution single-handedly sponsored the renovation of two laboratories (Biology and Chemistry).
One must appreciate how the alma mater association of KASSOSA put heads together in ensuring their schools are in better condition.
Hope they continue due to the various competing demands on shrinking government incomes, which more hands are needed to ensure the sustenance of the schools due to the role they are playing in Kano, Jigawa, and the country at large.
With such effort by any alma mater association, I’m sure the lost glory will be restored.
Long live Kano State, Science Colleges, and long live Nigeria.
Umar Idris Shuaibu is a Digital Journalist, who writes from Kano.
shuaibuumaridris@gmail.com
08066616097
