By Abdullahi Shugaba in Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced that the state government has established model Smart Schools for less privileged children from rural-disadvantaged background to compete favourably with their peers globally.
Radda made the declaration when he led seventeen European Union (EU), envoys on a visit to Dumurkul Model Secondary School in Daura Local Government been, one of the three schools established by his administration in each of the three Senatorial Districts of the state which are free of charge.
He explained that the schools will provide opportunities for children from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds pointing out that admission into the schools is merit-based.
According to him, the aim of establishing the schools is to shape the future of the children who might, in the next 20 to 30 years, compete with their pairs favourably in the international arena.
The Governor revealed that each school is equipped with 24-hour electricity, ICT-fitted classrooms, hostels, and internet access, with education and all essentials provided at no cost to the students.
The Katsina Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, disclosed that the Dumurkul school was nearly completed and would be commissioned within two weeks while the beneficiaries of the initiated were admitted and the teachers were also recruited for the take off.
He said the schools are equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and learning materials and are designed to expand to other zones in the future.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria who is the head of the delegation for visitation, Mr. Bengt van Loosdrecht, expressed satisfaction with the initiative and commended the Katsina State Government for its commitment to improving access to quality education and investing in modern learning infrastructure.
After the school visit, the delegation proceeded to the historic Kusugu Well in Daura a historic tourist site for visitors
The Governor noted that Kusugu Well is a historical site in Daura which also symbolises the cultural heritage of the state.
The Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Fouad in a remark also commended the Governor for preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the people and described the cultural night organized for them as historic and memorable.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS),to the the Governor, Malam Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed said that the entourage to Daura included the Deputy Governor, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe; the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abdullahi Garba Faskari; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; and other top government officials.
