By Kamilu Lawal, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has launched the second phase of the School Improvement Grants (SIG) under the world Bank funded ‘Transforming Education Systems at State Level’ (TESS) programme, with over N6.1 billion earmarked for the renovation and upgrade of 110 schools across the state.
Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, inaugurated the intervention on Friday at the TESS Office in Katsina, describing the initiative as part of his administration’s commitment to improving teaching and learning conditions in public schools.
The governor said the sum of N6,116,343,477 would be utilised for the construction of additional classrooms, renovation of dilapidated school structures, provision of gender-sensitive sanitation facilities and supply of clean water in benefiting schools.
Radda explained that the programme was designed to ensure that public schools in the state meet the standards of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC.
He highlighted some of the achievements recorded under the TESS programme, including the training of over 28,000 teachers on modern teaching methodologies and classroom management techniques.
According to the governor, the state government had also distributed digital tablets to teachers, supplied textbooks in core subjects and installed Closed-Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras in 130 schools to strengthen security and monitoring.
Radda commended the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission, the World Bank, School-Based Management Committees, teachers and other stakeholders for their support towards the successful implementation of the programme.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to build a competitive and globally compliant education system in Katsina State.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education in Katsina State, Yusuf Suleiman Jibiya, said the state government would continue to prioritise the education sector to ensure effective teaching and learning across the state.
Jibiya noted that the intervention would help bridge infrastructural gaps in schools and provide a conducive learning environment for both students and teachers.
Also speaking, the TESS Coordinator in Katsina State said the programme had made significant contributions towards transforming the education sector through teacher training, provision of instructional materials and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms aimed at improving educational standards.
