The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Yusuf Kabir, said the board is set to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers to boost foundational literacy and numeracy across the state’s 44 local government areas.

He disclosed this during the 2025 Learning Assessment Outcome quarterly review meeting, aimed at engaging stakeholders on pupils’ learning progress under the three-year Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, supported by the UK government.

Kabir, represented by the board’s secretary, Hajia Amina Umar, noted that although 4,343 teachers were hired in the last recruitment exercise, the state still faces a significant shortage.

“We have made a formal request for 4,000 more teachers, and many applicants are interested. We are already preparing seven CBT centres in Wudil, Bichi, and other areas to conduct aptitude tests,” he said.

As part of its reforms, the state plans to move from the current ratio of one teacher to 132 pupils—recorded in some overcrowded classrooms—to a target of one teacher per 60 pupils.

Stakeholder Dr. Miswaru Bello expressed concern that 40% of pupils in Kano still do not attend classes, while teacher absenteeism stands at about 12%. Umar pledged that SUBEB will consider residential placement during recruitment and take further steps to address the gaps.

The meeting recommended expanding accelerated learning holiday camps, strengthening school coaching, and improving attendance monitoring