Thousands of children in Karfi community, located in Takai Local Government Area of Kano State, have been left without access to a safe or functional learning facility for over a decade a situation that raises serious questions about the state’s education priorities.
Only School in Ruins: Collapsing Roofs, Unsafe Conditions
According to Monitng, a civic technology platform tracking public services across Nigeria, the only school serving the Karfi community Karfi Primary School has been in a state of severe disrepair for years.
“The roofs are decayed and collapsing, classrooms are dark, unventilated, and unsafe. Pupils are forced to learn in an environment unfit for human use,” Monitng reported after a recent on-site visit.
The group documented appalling conditions: leaking roofs, broken benches, and classrooms that offer neither safety nor comfort. Children are often forced to learn on damaged furniture in stifling, poorly lit rooms.
Learning Suspended During Rainy Season
The situation worsens during the rainy season when classroom activities are routinely suspended.
“Children in this community sit on broken benches under leaking roofs, exposed to harsh weather and the constant risk of injury. On rainy days, classes are suspended completely,” Monitng added.
This disruption severely affects educational outcomes for over 10,000 children, many of whom have never known what a fully functional classroom looks like.
Budget Discrepancy: Billions Allocated, Nothing Delivered
Despite Kano State’s reputation for allocating billions of naira annually to its education sector, communities like Karfi continue to suffer from total neglect.
“The reality on the ground reflects years of abandonment and failure to prioritise public education,” Monitng stated.
The civic group emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in the disbursement and implementation of education budgets in Kano State.
Kano Tops List of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria
According to data from The ICIR, Kano currently holds the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, with an estimated 1.89 million children out of the classroom. Karfi’s decade-long neglect starkly illustrates how deep this crisis runs.
Repeated Appeals, Zero Response
Community members say they have made repeated appeals to both state and federal government representatives, yet no action has been taken to remedy the situation.
“The people of Karfi have written repeatedly to both state and federal representatives calling for urgent intervention. Still, nothing has been done,” Monitng revealed.
Call for Immediate Government Action
Monitng described the Karfi situation as a gross failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust. The group called for immediate intervention from the Kano State Government and relevant education authorities.
“Education is the foundation of development. Every child, regardless of location, deserves safe, quality learning. Karfi cannot wait any longer.”
Conclusion: Karfi’s Plight Mirrors National Education Decay
Karfi Primary School is not just a local tragedy it is a microcosm of the broader systemic failure in Nigeria’s education sector. Until urgent action is taken, thousands of Nigerian children will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, ignorance, and abandonment.
