Katsina SUBEB Allocates N15.3 Billion for Primary School Development

The Katsina State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has invested N15.3 billion over the past 14 months to construct and rehabilitate primary schools across the 34 local government areas of the state. This substantial investment underscores the state government’s commitment to enhancing primary education infrastructure.

In addition to the construction efforts, SUBEB accessed N4.5 billion through the SUBEB/BESDA (Better Education Service Delivery for All) funds. These funds have been used to provide additional classrooms and essential learning materials to support primary education in Katsina State. Dr. Kabir Magaji, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, made this disclosure during a press briefing in Katsina. He also announced that the state government released N1.5 billion as part of a State Special Intervention Fund, further demonstrating its dedication to improving educational standards.

Dr. Magaji addressed concerns regarding the high number of out-of-school children in the state, clarifying that many of the children seen on the streets are not local to Katsina but are from neighboring Niger Republic, seeking Quranic education. According to UNICEF, Katsina has approximately 536,122 out-of-school children, representing 36% of the state's child population. However, this figure is inflated by the additional number of children migrating into the state. The state government has been proactive in ensuring that out-of-school children are integrated into the educational system, with over 2,900 schools now operational across the state.

In a bid to improve the quality of education, the board has recruited 5,095 permanent and pensionable teachers, boosting the total number of teachers in the state's schools to 30,000. Furthermore, 17,000 teachers have undergone training in various capacities to meet the evolving demands of the teaching profession, ensuring a more effective learning environment for students. The Katsina State government has also invested N48 million to support agricultural education and entrepreneurship in primary schools. As part of this initiative, 3,000 broiler chickens have been distributed to selected schools across the 34 local government areas. Additionally, 28 schools have been selected to participate in crop farming as part of the state’s vocational skills development program. This investment in agricultural education aims to equip students with entrepreneurial skills and promote self-reliance, preparing them for a brighter future.