By; SULAIMAN AHMED MISAU, Katsina
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has flagged – off the construction of 75 secondary schools and disbursed one hundred (100) million Naira each to another fifteen selected secondary schools in the state under the World Bank assisted – Adolescent Girls Initiative Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in collaboration with the state government.
The governor made the disbursement during an official foundation-laying ceremony at the Koda/Dambuna Secondary School in Charanci Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Radda in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed expressed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that all the schools are situated within a five-kilometer radius of their respective catchment communities for ease of access.
The project according to Dikko Radda, represents the first phase of a grand plan to establish one hundred and fifty new schools across the state.
Governor Dikko Radda emphasized the importance of addressing educational needs at the grassroots level. hoping that the allocated funds would be used judiciously for their intended purposes.
Katsina State Coordinator of the AGILE, Project, Dr. Mustapha Shehu Kofar Sauri disclosed that the schools would encompass both junior and senior sections, featuring twelve classrooms, laboratories, a multipurpose hall, staff rooms, toilets, and the principal’s office in the senior section, while the junior section would consist of ten classrooms, toilets, and an administrative block.
In a similar development, according to Mohammed Kaula the governor also laid the foundation for the second special model school for gifted children in Jikamshi, Musawa Local Government Area.
He said the initiative aligns with the governor’s campaign promises and aims to provide talented children with access to quality education from the grassroots.
A member of the State House of Assembly representing Musawa Local Government, Alhaji Lawal Yaro lauded the efforts of the governor and highlighted its potential to enhance access to quality education.
Alhaji Lawal Yaro expressed gratitude to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for selecting Jikamshi for the school.
Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Radda has directed for comprehensive inquiry into the encroachment on lands belonging to public schools across the state.
The move, Mohammed Kaula said, seeks to prevent illegal construction of structures within school premises.
