Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has unveiled his administration’s plan for the recruitment of students into the newly established special schools across the state, reaffirming his resolve to ensure educational opportunities for all children regardless of background.
Speaking at Government House Katsina during a strategic meeting with education officials including Katsina State commissioners, local government chairmen, sub-committee chairmen, permanent secretaries, local government education secretaries community development officers, and learning officers from 361 Wards, Governor Radda explained the details of the admission process for the three new special schools located in Radda (Katsina Zone), Jikamshi (Funtua Zone), and Dumurkul (Daura Zone).
The Governor recalled his campaign promise to sponsor the best students to study abroad, which has already been fulfilled. “By the grace of God, we sent students to Egypt to study MBBS and to China to study Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology. They were selected strictly by merit, and the Katsina State Government fully paid for their tuition, accommodation, feeding, and all expenses,” he stated.
He said “In our villages, there are children with talent and determination but no means to pay school fees or even buy uniforms’’.
‘’Meanwhile, the children of the rich go to private schools and receive quality education. We want to bridge this gap so that the poor man’s child will also study like the rich man’s child, and in 10 to 20 years return to develop Katsina State,”
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Governor Radda further stressed that admissions will be strictly based on merit and fairness. Each of the 361 wards in Katsina State will nominate six students — two from Primary 6 into JSS1, two from JSS1 into JSS2, and two from JSS2 into JSS3 — making a total of 2,172 students. These students will sit for entrance examinations, after which 996 will be admitted, ensuring every ward is represented.
He emphasized that children from poor families will benefit the most, adding that anyone who can afford private schools should take their children there.
He said’’ In these schools, I want the brightest from the poor to be given this opportunity so that tomorrow society will benefit from them,”