By Umar Idris Shuaibu
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has distributed school uniforms and writing materials to pupils of Kamanda Ruga Settlement Nomadic Primary School in Dansoshiya, Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Executive Director of CITAD, Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, described the intervention as timely, noting that nomadic schools particularly those serving Fulani communities have suffered prolonged neglect from policymakers and government authorities.
He stressed the urgent need to prioritise education in such communities, pointing out that many children are being denied their fundamental right to access quality education.
“It is imperative to address the neglect faced by nomadic schools, as many children within these communities deserve equal access to education,” he said.
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Earlier, a Fulani leader from the Nomadic Jowrows Association, Malam Idris Shuaibu, commended CITAD for the gesture, describing it as impactful and encouraging for pupils in the community.
He noted that the support would boost school attendance and inspire children to pursue education, adding that they represent the future of the community.
Malam Idris also called on government at all levels to give greater attention to education, emphasising its importance in harnessing human resources and driving national development.
The Headmaster of Kamanda Nomadic Primary School, Nasiru Ibrahim Dangora, expressed appreciation to CITAD for the intervention, while drawing attention to the numerous challenges facing the school. He identified inadequate classrooms, a shortage of teachers for over 300 pupils, lack of toilet facilities, and the absence of basic learning aids such as educational toys needed to motivate the children.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director of Nomadic Education at the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, Ghali Sulaiman, commended CITAD for the initiative, describing it as a rare and impactful intervention. He noted that the school had not benefitted from similar support since its establishment, and praised the organisation for advancing inclusive education in hard-to-reach communities.
Sulaiman further highlighted the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving access to education through the construction of nomadic schools across the state. He also urged parents to prioritise formal education for their children, stressing that modern nomadic livelihoods, including cattle rearing and trade, increasingly require basic education and knowledge to remain sustainable.
The distribution exercise was supported by teachers of the school, local government officials, traditional authorities, including the Dagacin Dangora, Yusuf Harisu, who represented the District Head of Kiru, as well as other Fulani leaders within the community.
The nomadic school was established in 2020 following the implementation of the Ruga settlement initiative by the Kano State Government, under a policy introduced during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The project, executed during the tenure of former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was designed to settle nomadic Fulani communities and reduce constant migration by providing basic social amenities, including 25 units of two-bedroom houses, a police outpost, a milk collection centre, and veterinary services, with plans for expansion to accommodate more herders. The initiative was also aimed at addressing recurring clashes between farmers and pastoralists, largely linked to the absence and encroachment of designated grazing reserves and cattle routes.