The Katsina State Government, under the leadership of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, invested billions of naira in education to reshape the future of thousands of children and young people. AUGUSTINE OKEZIE writes on whether this could be a great leap towards educational growth for the state
With billions of naira being spent on education sector, the Katsina State Government is not just fixing broken structures. Rather, it is rewriting the narrative of education in the state. From primary schools in the rural communities to the corridors of higher institutions, the ripple effects of these investments are beginning to take shape.
The Deputy Governor, Faruq Lawal, at the third monthly press briefing at Government House, emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the education sector. The briefing focused on the progress made in enhancing education across the state.
According to Faruq, Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda is committed to revitalising education to secure a brighter future for the people. He stated that significant investments have been made from primary education to higher institutions to ensure quality learning and teaching.
He added that the state government, through the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), had spent N9.1 billion to construct 160 new classrooms, renovated 258, drill 81 boreholes, build 46 toilets and 20 teachers’ residences. Additionally, the government has supplied 612 teachers’ chairs and 14,602 students’ seats to improve the learning environment.
The deputy governor also revealed that under the Tertiary Institution Strengthening (TIS) programme, N5.6 billion was allocated for the construction of 150 new schools, installation of solar-powered electricity, drilling of boreholes and procurement of modern teaching materials.
Secondary education funding
At the secondary education level, the government said it had invested N6.8 billion in constructing and renovating secondary schools, procuring textbooks and teaching materials, and paying students’ examination fees. Moreover, new model schools were built in the three senatorial zones, alongside the renovation of schools like GSS Ingawa and GGSS Kabomo.
On science and technical education, Malam Faruq stated that N1.4 billion was spent on the construction and renovation of technical colleges, including GTC Mashi and GSS Kafur. The government also provided teachers with training programmes, modern equipment such as computers, solar-powered systems, and surveillance vehicles to enhance learning and teaching conditions.
The AGILE programme, which promotes girls’ education, has facilitated the construction of 75 new schools, renovation of 578 existing ones, and financial assistance to 4,111 female students to support their education.
Jettisoning overcrowded classrooms, inadequate teaching aids
For decades, students in Katsina have had to contend with overcrowded classrooms, poor infrastructure, and inadequate learning materials. Many schools, especially in remote areas, were dilapidated structures, with pupils sitting on bare floors, struggling to learn in harsh conditions.
Teachers too faced their battles with outdated resources, a lack of proper teaching aids and inadequate training to cope with the demands of modern education.
Today, a new wave of change appeared sweeping through the system. The government has undertaken the construction and rehabilitation of hundreds of classrooms, ensuring that pupils no longer have to study in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
At the primary school level alone, over 160 new classrooms have been built, while more than 250 have undergone the much-needed repairs. The days of children learning under trees or in leaking classrooms are gradually fading into history.
Focus on boreholes, sanitation blocks, teachers’ quarters
Beyond the classrooms, essential facilities such as boreholes, sanitation blocks and teachers’ quarters were being introduced to create a more conducive learning environment. Education, after all, is not just about textbooks and chalkboards. It is about ensuring that children have access to water, hygiene and a sense of security while they learn.
A major striking aspect of the educational revolution currently showcasing the administration’s commitment to boarding schools is the government’s understanding of the link between nutrition and academic performance. About N1.5 billion has been allocated for feeding pupils in boarding schools across the state. For many of these pupils, this initiative is a lifeline. In a region where economic hardships often mean that children go to school on empty stomachs, the government’s intervention ensures that no child has to choose between hunger and education.
The impact of this cannot be overstated since well-fed students are more attentive, healthier, and better prepared to excel academically. This feeding programme managed under the State Science and Technical Education Board is not just about filling stomachs; it is a strategic effort to boost enrolment and retention rates.
Girl-child education
One of the most transformative aspects of Katsina’s education reforms is its focus on girl-child education. Historically, cultural and economic barriers have kept many girls out of school, forcing them into early marriages or household responsibilities. Through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), massive infrastructural investments were being made to ensure that more girls have access to education.
