Katsina Government Set to Conduct Competency Tests for School Principals

The Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has announced plans to conduct competency tests for all principals and vice principals of secondary schools across the state. This initiative, revealed by Hon. Zainab Musawa, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, aims to ensure a merit-based approach to school leadership, promoting dedicated and effective governance in educational institutions.

During a press briefing, Musawa addressed recent media reports that negatively portrayed the state's performance in the 2024 National Examinations Council (NECO) results. While acknowledging that there is room for improvement, she highlighted Katsina's significant achievements. The state ranked sixth nationally for the number of students who passed the NECO exams with five credits, including Mathematics and English, with a total of 29,633 successful candidates—more than 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Musawa noted that this achievement reflects a 17.8% increase from the 25,152 candidates who met the same criteria in 2023, emphasizing that these students are well-positioned to fill the state’s quota in universities and other tertiary institutions for the 2024/2025 academic session.

In addition to the competency tests, the Ministry plans to reintroduce mandatory preparatory classes for all final-year students, whether they are boarding or day students. These classes will include specialized coaching in Mathematics and English language subjects, aiming to enhance students' preparedness for their final exams and improve overall performance.