Governor Radda disbursing a cheque to one of the schools’ management

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Katsina

Keeping to his promise to revolutionalize the education sector, Katsina state Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda,  on Wednesday, disbursed N450 million to 100 secondary schools in the state.

Making the disbursement at an elaborate ceremony held at the Government Day Secondary School, Doro, Bindawa Local Government Area, where he launched the second phase disbursement of N450 million grants to 100 secondary schools under the AGILE programme, Governor Radda vowed to develop education in the state.

He reaffirmed his preparedness to pursue the development of education in the state through a series of programmes.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, stated that: “Mallam Dikko Radda emphasized that the programme has no negative effect on the moral standard of the populace in the state and their family members.”

He enjoined people in the state  to resist any negative perceptions  that could further make the northern region backward.

Governor Radda said the grant released under the AGILE programme is a loan payable in stipulated period of time.

He said the state government had started preparation for the second  round of the construction of another 75 secondary schools in the state.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua bemoaned the report of 13.2 million school age children now out of  school across the country of which about 50 percent are  girls.

Also speaking, Hajiya Hadiza Saulawa lauded the bold steps taken by Governor Radda in addressing the problem in the state.

She commended stakeholders in the state for supporting the  policies of Governor  Radda aimed at repositioning the educational sector.

Giving an update on the AGILE programme,  the Co-ordinator, Dr Mustapha Shehu, said  the construction of the second phase of the remaining 75 secondary schools would commence in January 2024 and be completed in the third quarter of the year.

According to him, the girl component of AGILE program was introduced following the poverty mapping and needs assessment which  discovered that economic factors hindered many  parents from providing  their girl child with basic educational needs and to transit to  secondary schools  after completing their  primary education.