The Katsina State Government has approved the construction of 30 new senior secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to expand access to quality secondary education.
The approval, granted by Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, has led to the commencement of formal site handover to contractors by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for the immediate start of construction works.
The site handover exercise began on Monday at selected locations in Batagarawa and Katsina Local Government Areas.
Sites handed over include the construction of senior secondary schools at Commercial Junior Secondary School, Kayauki, and Government Science Junior Secondary School, Batagarawa, both in Batagarawa Local Government Area, as well as Kiddies International School, Old Low-Cost Area, Katsina.
Speaking during the site handover at Kiddies International School, the Chairman of Katsina Local Government Area, Hon. Isah Mikidad A.D. Saude, described the project as a major intervention that would improve access to secondary education for residents of Kofar Marusa, Katsina Old Low-Cost, Mani House and surrounding communities.
He said the initiative reflected the administration’s commitment to education as a fundamental right and commended Governor Radda’s infrastructure reforms in the education sector and other areas of development.
Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Dr Mustapha Shehu, said the construction of 30 new senior secondary schools represented a significant expansion drive aimed at repositioning the education sector in the state.
He noted that the Radda-led administration remains committed to expanding public schools and renovating dilapidated facilities, urging communities and other stakeholders to monitor the projects to ensure contractors deliver quality work in line with specifications.
The Director of Works at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, QS Shamsudeen Hassan, cautioned contractors to commence work promptly and adhere strictly to approved timelines. He also advised site watchmen to be vigilant in safeguarding construction materials and equipment.
At Government Science Junior Secondary School, Batagarawa, and Commercial Junior Secondary School, Kayauki, Hassan explained that the governor’s approval covers the construction of 30 senior secondary schools within existing school premises across the state, adding that the site handover marked the official commencement of the projects.
Representatives of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in Batagarawa Local Government expressed gratitude to the governor for his continued commitment to improving education in the area and across the state.
One of the contractors handling the Batagarawa and Kayauki projects, Alhaji Abubakar Saleh, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in his company and assured that the projects would be executed in line with approved standards. He said mobilisation of engineers and labourers to the sites would begin next week.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Batagarawa Local Government Area, Hon. Yahya Lawal Kawo, commended Governor Radda for executing development projects in the area, noting that the people of Batagarawa appreciated the administration’s commitment to education and infrastructure development.
Other stakeholders who commended the governor included Ibrahim Ahmed, Zonal Coordinator, Rimi ZEQA; Mujittapha Lawal, Zonal Coordinator, Katsina ZEQA; representatives of traditional institutions; and SBMC members from Katsina Local Government Area.
The site handover exercises were witnessed by officials of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), contractors, consultants, community leaders and education stakeholders.
The Ministry disclosed that additional site handovers for the remaining approved schools would continue from the following day.
