The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), has commissioned a Bilingual Education Boarding School in Kiru local government area of Kano State to increase access to inclusive and quality basic education.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the project as a significant investment in human capital development, social inclusion and regional stability. She said the initiative underscored the strong partnership between the Federal Government, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the IsDB in addressing the challenge of vulnerable and out-of-school children.
According to the minister, the bilingual education model combines English and Arabic literacy with modern teaching methods, technical and vocational education, ICT-driven learning and secure boarding facilities. She noted that the approach promotes effective communication, preserves cultural identity and enhances global competitiveness without sacrificing modern education for religious studies.
Professor Ahmad added that the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s education transformation agenda, which prioritises access, equity, skills development and strategic planning, while contributing to efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children nationwide.
Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the commissioning of the school signified new opportunities for learning and national development.
He recalled that the state government had declared a state of emergency in the education sector and embarked on sweeping reforms to improve access, infrastructure and learning outcomes.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, said the Kiru facility is one of 30 bilingual model schools being constructed across nine states, including Kano, Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna and Niger. She disclosed that Kano State hosts four of the schools, located in Kiru, Doguwa, Ganduje and Ungoggo local government areas of the State.
She explained that each model school can accommodate over 1,000 students and is equipped with academic and administrative blocks, hostels, staff quarters, vocational centres, a mosque, water facilities and perimeter fencing.
