mini2440 Linux: mkdir doesn't work under /sys/class

Using factory installed Linux; need to add a directory and files under
/sys/class. System won't let me. 

[root@friendlyarm-3 class]# mkdir /sys/class/gpio
mkdir: cannot create directory '/sys/class/gpio': No such file or directory

[root@friendlyarm-3 class]# mkdir gpio
mkdir: cannot create directory 'gpio': No such file or directory

[root@friendlyarm-3 class]# uname -a
Linux friendlyarm-3 2.6.32.2-FriendlyARM #18 Wed Apr 13 20:06:31 HKT 2011
armv4tl unknown

What magic incantations can one use to fix this?
Thanks.

You can't do that in this way. sysfs is a virtual filesystem. Change your
kernel features to provide GPIO control via sysfs.