New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

ONE of the yardsticks used in measuring the level of development in any nation, state or society is how much has been expended in the education sector, because no other sector like agriculture, health, Trade can move to the next level without not only embracing education but spending huge amount on the sector.There is Proverb that says “if education is expensive, try ignorance”.

It can be recalled that in 20th February 2009 education in Katsina State recorded a tremendous success when emerged as the best state in the implementation of U.B.E. Programme in the Federation. It was after a throughinvestigation by the last administration which showed that primary education is the backbone of education. It is also the ladder which brings to the fore education in the secondary and tertiary levels.

As His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema has said shortly after receiving the award as the best state in the implementation of UBE programme by the Universal Basic Education Commission through the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu that “Katsina State is indeed lucky to be governed in the last 10 years by leaders with focus like Mr. President while serving as a Governor. .He bequeathed a solid and enduring system rooted in transparency, accountability and absolute fear of God. The level of commitmentaccorded to primary education sub-sector was unprecedented the our history as the state. We give due recognition to the fact that primary education is the bedrock of any meaningful development. Having emerged as the Governor of Katsina State, I have no option rather than to closely follow the footsteps of my mentor. That is why we have emulated the excellent leadership qualities of Mutawallen Katsina, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has said.

Coming back to Katsina from Abuja along with the cheque of 700 million Naira, a Toyota Hilux Car from Zenith Bank and a trophy, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema through the State Universal Basic Education Board has used his wealth of experience in ensuring that even unborn children in the state have access to the attendant benefits inherent in the fund.

The Katsina State Government through the state Universal Basic Education Board has out of 700 million Naira awarded the contracts for the construction/extension of storey buildings at three primary schools of Dambo Tukur Primary School, Ingawa, Bindawa Model Primary School, Bindawa and Sabuwa Model Primary School, Sabuwa. This is in addition to the construction of a complete primary school at new Barhim Housing Estate to the sum of over 523 million Naira.

The construction in the four benefitting primary schools, if completed will have a total of 142 classrooms, 64 toilets, terrazor floor finishing, longspan roofing sheet, landscaping, drainages, playground, library. to mention but a few.

Governor Shema has also through the State Universal Basic Education Board awarded the contract for the construction of computer halls in seven old local government education authorities of Katsina, Dutsinma, Malumfashi, Funtua, 28 sets of computer furniture in each old LGEA to the tune of 559 million Naira. This is aimed at exposing our children to computer at their tender age.

Despite the construction of the seven computer halls in the old seven local governments in the state, the Governor has also directed for the procurement of Desktop Computers with accessories to be equally distributed to each of the seven LGEAs. Where each computer centre will have 28 set of computers, 28 number of 650 UPS, 28 number of 2000 VA AVR, 2 scanjet and 2 printers, one projector, one generator and networking of all installed computers to THE tune of over 45 million Naira.

One other areas which has always been in the mind of His Excellency, whenever the issue of primary education in the state reached him or his office is the problem of supply of instructional materials to schools, “Here in Katsina the State Government is trying its possible best in ensuring that the education from primary I to Senior Secondary School is free. There is no more school fees , no examination fees and the instructional materials too are free.

the sum of over 94 million have been used in procurement of 142,970 textbooks on 4-core subjects for primary six pupils. The 4-core subjects are English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Primary Science to complement what the state government is doing in the area of supply of instructional materials in the state. This is an annual event meant to enrich our schools with similar text and exercise books in order to make’ teaching/learning easier between the teachers and pupils. This also reduces the hardship faced by parents in buyIng books for the children.

Frankly speaking, the administration of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has, been very serious in the area of education development in the state particularly the primary education sub-sector which is the foundation. It can be recalled that in 2007, his Government inherited the construction of five primary schools into storey building in Mani, Kankia, Danja, Rimi and Safana worth over 365 million Naira and were completed and fully functional. In 2008, there was also another construction at Dutsinma Mashi Kafur Musawa and reconstruction work at Muhammadu Dikko Primary School (Nasarawa) worth over 518 million Naira. this is in addition to construction of one block of two classrooms in most of the primary schools across the state, plus furniture provision, teacher training and ‘development, aimed at boosting UBE programme in the state.

It has already become a history in the federation that Katsina State Government under its visionary leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema has since, implemented in addition to the six month arrears of 27.5 per cent New Teachers’ Salary Structure (T.S.S.). That is why some states are coming to Katsina in order to learn from them. Particularly in the area of construction, enrolment, retention, completion, teacher training, supply of instructional materials to mentioned but a few. The State Government is not leaving any stone unturn as far as this sub-sector is concerned. The managers of this sub-sector too are working tirelessly in the state in order to maintain the status quo.

At this juncture, it has become imperative to put all hand on desk to assist in one way or the other by complementing the effort of the government in education in general and the primary education sub-sector in particular so that UBE programme in the state will move to the next level.

I will also like to seize this opportunity to call on all stakeholders, nongovernmental organizations, international donor agencies that the doors of Katsina State are, widely open for any donation or assistance.

Ingawa wrote in from Katsina.