Kano State Agency for Mass Education was created in Apri 1980 as an autonomous body by an Edict No. 5 of 1981 with the primary aim of eradicating illiteracy, provision of continuing education and to serve also as a source of public enlightenment in the state.
VISION
To produce literate and enlightened citizens
MISSION
To create and sustain second chance learning opportunities for youths and adults
GOALS
1. To serve as an instrument for the eradication of illiteracy among youths, adults and school drop-outs
2. To develop in youths and adults the ability to use skills acquired to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their social and physical environment in order to improve their mode of living and their state of wellbeing.
3. To develop in youths and adults alike, attitudes and commitment towards active participation in the transforming of their immediate locality and the nation at large.
4. To prepare youths and adults in the promotion of such activities which the Agency may deem purposeful and constructive in terms of the nation.
5. To serve as a localized resource centre with training facilities in artisan crafts.
STRUCTURE OF THE AGENCY
The Agency’s edict No. 5 of 1981 provides for the existence of a board with part-time members including a chairman appointed by the Governor and Management headed by an Executive Director. The Agency has departments, division and units. There are Area Coordinating Offices in each of the 44 LGAs and 53 women centres spread within the 44 LGAs in the state to provide basic literacy and skill acquisition needs of women in purda.
Programmes offered by the
Agency for Mass Education
Soon after its establishment, the agency sets up certain programmes designed to achieve its set objectives. The programmes are:
1. Basic Literacy
2. Post Literacy
3. Remedial Education
4. Women Education
5. Vocational Education
6. Literacy for the disabled persons
7. Literacy for the Nomads
8. Senior Islamic Studies and Higher Islamic Studies
9. Support to Non-Governmental Organisations
1. Basic Literacy- This is designed for persons that have never attended school and have no idea of how to read or write. Here, the participants or learners are taught reading, writing and arithmetic in the mother tongue that is Hausa. The duration of the programme is six months.
The area coordinating officers that are responsible for the running of the agency’s activities in each of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) are also responsible for the recruitment of the learners as well as employment of the facilitators that teach in these classes.
The Government of Kano state, through this agency provides all the working materials needed for the running of these centers free to all the learners and also pays the monthly remuneration to the facilitators. The materials provided to the individual learner include:
1. 2A exercise book
2. 2B exercise book
3. 2D exercise book
4. Literacy primer
5. Numeracy primer
6. Pencil
7. Sharpener
8. Eraser
While each class is provided with the following items
1. White chalk
2. Colored chalk
3. Chalk board and easel
4. Duster
5. BB ruler
6. Class Register
The agency also provides formative as well as summative evaluation of the program. It also provides certificates to successful completers.
This year alone (2009) the agency has organized 440 classes of these nature in 44 local government areas, that is 10 classes per LGA.
