Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has called on recently recruited public school teachers who rejected their initial postings to promptly tender their resignations. This announcement coincided with the launch of the programme “Transforming Education System at State Level (TESS),” where a total of N4.05 billion in grants was disbursed to 150 selected primary schools.
The event, which took place at Shagumba Primary School in Batagarawa Local Government Area, showcased part of Governor Radda’s commitment to addressing key challenges in the education sector.
Governor Radda explained that the benefiting schools were selected based on certain criteria, such as level of dilapidation, number of pupils in catchment communities close to the school, and dearth of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
Under the TESS programme, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) are entrusted with responsibly overseeing the judicious utilisation and management of the allocated funds. Governor Radda urged these committees to ensure transparency and optimal utilisation of the grants for their intended purposes.
In response to concerns about public school teacher recruitment, the governor’s directive requires those who initially rejected postings to resign, creating opportunities for eager candidates awaiting appointments. He underscored the importance of punctuality among teachers, urging the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, SUBEB Education secretaries, and coordinators of Zonal Education Quality Assurance to intensify efforts to ensure teachers attend lessons promptly.
Governor Radda issued a stern warning against insubordination, emphasising a zero-tolerance approach to teachers and staff neglecting their duties without valid reasons.
To further foster community involvement, the governor encouraged education stakeholders, especially community members, to actively engage by regularly visiting schools, monitoring lesson delivery, assessing teacher attendance, and reporting incidents of truancy or absenteeism.
Binta Abdulmumini, the coordinator of TESS, expressed confidence in the programme’s potential to play a pivotal role in reintegrating numerous out-of-school children in Katsina back into the educational system. According to her, the governor’s multifaceted approach signals a determined effort to enhance the quality of education and address issues hindering the state’s educational progress.
