The Kano State Government has expressed concern over staggering truancy among pupils, warning that it will not condone absenteeism by children.

The Commissioner for Education, Umar Doguwa, stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with women on Sunday in Kano.

The theme of the meeting is, “Significance of girls education as a key impetus for accelerated social and economic development in Kano.’’

According to Mr Doguwa, the state government will sanction parents who failed to live up to their responsibilities, adding that it would not condone lateness, absenteeism and children roaming the streets during school hours.

He said, “The way we take measures on teachers who come to school late, the same would also be replicated on children who come to the school late. Parents must realise that they have a responsibility to send their children to school and on time.”

Mr Doguwa enjoined mothers to support the government’s initiative of free quality education for all by sending wards to schools.

He said the ministry was working in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and People With Disabilities to promote education in the state.

The commissioner emphasised the importance of girl-child enrollment, retention, completion of secondary education as well as transition to higher levels of education for sustainable social and economic development of the state.

He said the government had adopted proactive measures to reinvigorate the sector and promote academic excellence in the state.

According to him, about 4.5 million out of 5.2 million students sit on bare floors in the 10,000 basic and post basic schools across the 44 local government areas of the state.

To address the problem, Mr Doguwa said the state government earmarked N125 billion to the education sector in the 2024 budget.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and People with Disabilities, Ms Aisha Saji, urged parents to monitor their wards and send them to schools.

She reiterated the state government’s commitment to education and women empowerment programmes. (NAN)