By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
The Katsina State Government has launched a comprehensive initiative to revitalise adult education and introduce digital learning in traditional Qur’anic (Almajiri) schools, in a bid to expand educational access and empower marginalised populations, particularly women and out-of-school adults.
Led by Hajiya Bilkisu Muhammad Kaikai, Executive Director of the Katsina State Agency for Mass Education, the initiative has seen the reopening of adult literacy centres in 68 district head palaces across the Katsina and Daura emirates. These centres now offer both literacy and vocational training, equipping citizens with skills essential for self-reliance and economic independence.
“This is more than teaching reading and writing,” said Hajiya Bilkisu. “We’re equipping people—mostly elders—with vocational skills that promote dignity, productivity, and independence. The growing turnout reflects a renewed public commitment to lifelong learning.”
The programme targets individuals who either never had access to formal education or dropped out before completion. Each district now hosts accessible learning hubs offering basic education and practical skills tailored to the economic realities of local communities.
To maintain quality and consistency, the Agency for Mass Education conducted a monitoring tour across the four major education zones—Katsina, Daura, Funtua, and Dutsinma. Officials verified teacher credentials, assessed classroom performance, and provided refresher training on modern teaching techniques. A dedicated support unit was also launched to cater to learners with special needs, ensuring inclusive and equitable education.
As part of stakeholder engagement, Hajiya Bilkisu visited traditional rulers in both emirates to communicate Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s vision for inclusive education. The monarchs pledged their full support, praising the initiative as one that aligns with both modern aspirations and cultural values.
To enhance the sustainability of the programme, learning materials were distributed to participating centres, ensuring that students and teachers have the tools needed to maintain momentum.
In a groundbreaking move to reach remote communities, the state government—in collaboration with the National Library Board in Katsina—introduced a Digital Literacy Programme known as Learning by Radio. This innovative approach delivers educational content via radio broadcasts, specifically designed for areas lacking formal schools or internet access.
To launch the radio programme, the Federal Ministry of Education facilitated a one-day training session on Monday at the National Library Conference Hall in Katsina. Teachers were trained on how to deliver compelling lessons using only their voices, transforming radio into a powerful classroom for the underserved.
The government has committed to sustaining and expanding this digital approach by investing in further training and integrating technology into the mass education framework. Officials say this hybrid model of adult and digital education is a key strategy for combating illiteracy, enhancing social inclusion, and empowering vulnerable populations—especially women—in the state.
With this dual-track approach blending traditional learning and digital innovation, the Katsina State Government is laying a foundation for a more inclusive, literate, and economically empowered society in northern Nigeria.
