From Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Friday flagged off the second phase of the disbursement of School Improvement Grants worth N6,116,343,477.00 to 110 schools across the 34 local government areas of the state.
The grant is being disbursed under the Transforming Education System at State Level (TESS) project.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda described the initiative as clear evidence of his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving educational standards in the state.
“The School Improvement Grant initiative represents a strategic intervention designed to strengthen grassroots schools by providing direct support to address critical infrastructural and learning needs,” he said.
He explained that the disbursement would support the construction of additional classrooms, renovation of dilapidated school structures, provision of gender-sensitive toilet facilities, and access to safe and potable water in line with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) minimum standards.
Governor Radda had earlier commissioned a newly constructed 500-capacity conference hall at the TESS Project Office and distributed specialised learning materials for children with special needs at the School for the Blind, Katsina, and the School for the Deaf, Malumfashi.
The governor noted that the TESS Project has continued to record significant achievements in advancing the education sector.
Through the project, textbooks in Mathematics, English, and Computer Studies have been distributed to pupils, while digital tablets have been provided to teachers.
He added that 28,000 teachers had received training on modern teaching methodologies, classroom practices, and structured pedagogy.
“To support inclusive education, learning materials and assistive devices have been provided to schools serving children with special needs.
“Additionally, CCTV cameras have been installed in 130 schools to strengthen security and create safer learning environments.
“Motorcycles have also been provided to Monitoring and Evaluation Officers across all 34 Local Government Education Authorities to enhance supervision in rural communities,” the governor stated.
Governor Radda called on School-Based Management Committees, parents, community leaders, and teachers to support the initiative and ensure the proper utilisation and maintenance of the projects executed.
“These funds must be utilised with the highest level of transparency, prudence, and accountability, strictly in accordance with the approved guidelines,” the governor emphasised.
He disclosed that the state government had constituted a dedicated monitoring committee to ensure the proper utilisation of the grant.
According to him, the committee comprises representatives from anti-corruption agencies, the State Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Team, the Katsina State Development Management Board, and the Office of the Head of Service, while the TESS Project Coordinator serves as secretary.
“The monitoring team will ensure all projects meet prescribed UBEC minimum standards and help position Katsina State to attain performance-based rewards from the World Bank and other donor agencies,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, stated that the AGILE Project is advancing inclusive education through the distribution of specialised learning materials to learners with special needs.
“This important intervention underscores our collective resolve to ensure that every child, irrespective of physical condition or learning difficulty, is given equal opportunity to learn, grow, and realise their full potential,” Commissioner Jibia said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Kabir Magaji, commended Governor Radda for his achievements in the education sector.
“Your giant strides in the education sector have restored hope and renewed confidence among communities, parents, teachers, and learners.
“We at SUBEB remain profoundly grateful for your continuous support, encouragement, and fatherly guidance,” Magaji stated.
On his part, the State Project Coordinator of the AGILE Project, Abubakar Abdulhamid, disclosed that 104,111 female students had benefited from the project’s conditional cash transfer programme aimed at supporting their education.
He said the intervention had significantly improved school attendance, reduced dropout rates, and increased transition rates, with Primary to Junior Secondary School transition reaching 71 per cent and Junior Secondary to Senior Secondary School transition rising to 89 per cent.
“Under Phase I implementation, 75 new secondary schools have been constructed, with 65 already completed and handed over.
“A total of 581 secondary schools have been upgraded through School Improvement Grants, benefiting over 778,000 students. The project has renovated 3,099 classrooms and constructed 279 new ones,” Abdulhamid explained.
Similarly, the State Project Coordinator of the TESS Project, Hajiya Binta Abdulmumini, outlined several achievements recorded under Governor Radda’s leadership.
According to her, an 18-seater project vehicle has been procured to facilitate efficient project coordination and supervision across the state.
She added that the project distributed 25,000 copies each of Fortune Mathematics, English, and Computer Studies textbooks for Primary 4 to 6 pupils, installed CCTV cameras in 130 schools to improve security, and procured 70 motorcycles for Monitoring and Evaluation Officers as well as Quality Assurance Officers across the 34 Local Government Education Authorities.
“Under the visionary, purposeful, and transformational leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, the TESS Project has recorded significant milestones and remarkable achievements aimed at strengthening the education sector,” Hajiya Binta Abdulmumini stated.