Toilet Trouble: Some Kano Primary Schools Struggle with Inadequate Toilets

By Aminu Garko
The lack of adequate toilet facilities in some Kano primary schools has led to a disturbing trend – pupils are being forced to defecate in open spaces.
This shocking revelation came to light during an inspection tour by correspondents in some primary schools in Kano State.
At Yelwa Model Primary School in Dala, pupils Saminu Sanusi and Khadija Ahmed lamented the shortage of toilets, saying they have no option but to defecate in an open space when nature calls.
“We need the government to come to our aid and build at least ten toilets for our convenience,” they appealed.
The school’s headmaster, Umar Aliyu, painted a grim picture of the challenges facing the school.
With a total enrollment of 1164 pupils, the school has only 31 teachers, resulting in a significant shortage of teaching staff. Insecurity is another major challenge, with vandals recently stealing valuables worth hundreds of thousands of naira.
The school’s toilet situation is dire, with only two functional toilets serving the entire student population.
“We need additional security guards because the three guards we have are aging and can’t protect the school from vandals,” Umar Aliyu added.
A similar situation was observed at Ungogo Special Primary School in Ungogo Local Government Area, where the headmaster, Haladu Tanko, decried the shortage of staff and toilets. With 2943 pupils and only 15 teachers, the school is struggling to provide quality education.
The Kano State Government has been commended for its commitment to uplifting the standard of education in the state. However, more needs to be done to address the pressing issues of inadequate toilet facilities, shortage of teaching staff, and insecurity in primary schools.
As the state government continues to grapple with these challenges, one thing is clear – the future of Kano’s children depends on it.
Providing adequate toilet facilities, recruiting more teachers, and ensuring the safety of pupils are not just moral imperatives but also essential for the development of the state.