The N2.31billion project which was donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed at cementing the bilateral relationship between the two countries, is expected to help alleviate the problem of classroom congestion spread across 22 local government areas in the state.
Handing over the keys to the schools to the Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike in Abuja recently, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji said the Japanese government has been making effort towards ensuring that access to primary education for all primary school aged children especially the girl-child, is achieved in the country.
According to the Ambassador, the history of Japan proves that unfettered access to basic education is one of the foundations for nation building of Japan adding that investing in people is crucial to economic development of a country and the emancipation of each individual hence the effort to assist Nigerian government achieve the feat.
Mr. Shoji noted that the project which was signed in June 2010 enabled JICA to provide additional 317 classrooms in 33 schools, with toilet facilities and classroom furniture for the pupils of Kano State.
He noted that though there was great security threats in the state during the project implementation, but all the works were securely done with the support of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Kano State Government.
The Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike in his acceptance speech said that JICA has demonstrated more than a passing commitment to the provision of educational development assistance and support to Nigeria. He noted that the challenge of providing sustainable qualitative education to every Nigerian is quite enormous and requires the concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders to overcome.
He said the Federal Government will welcome any positive intervention from the international development partners, which is directed at improving education in Nigeria.
In his speech, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said the kind gesture from the good people of Japan has tremendously complemented their determination to improve the situation in all the primary schools, including the educational institutions.
The construction of additional classrooms in Kano State is the Phase 2 of the JICA project in the country as it would be recalled that Niger, Plateau and Kaduna states have also benefited from such interventions from the Japanese government.
The Kano State projects comprises 33 schools, 77 buildings, 317 classrooms; 61 toilets for boys and girls, 308 booths, 6,340 tables and chairs for the students, 317 for teachers and 317 blackboards.
