By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times | August 22, 2025
The Katsina State Government has launched a landmark education reform under the Transforming Education System at State Level (TESS) initiative, designed to shift from traditional teaching to technology-driven learning, enhance school security, and improve the welfare of teachers and pupils.
In an exclusive interview with Katsina Times on Friday, the TESS State Coordinator, Hajiya Binta Abdulmumini Ahmed, said Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration, in collaboration with the World Bank, introduced digital learning tools to classrooms across the state.
She explained that the project aims to replace outdated teaching methods with digital learning.
“For years, many teachers struggled with lesson preparation, with some entering classrooms without proper planning or adherence to the national curriculum. Now, tablets preloaded with English, Mathematics, and Science lessons have been provided to simplify lesson delivery,” she said.
The devices, each accompanied by a power bank, can function without internet or electricity—an innovation tailored for schools facing frequent power outages.
Beyond technology, the initiative also provides free learning materials to underprivileged pupils. Additionally, security has been prioritised with the installation of CCTV cameras in 130 schools across all local government areas in the first phase of the project.
“The security cameras will help protect pupils, ensure accountability, and foster safer learning environments. More schools are expected to benefit in subsequent phases,” Hajiya Binta noted.
To ensure accountability, every tablet carries a unique identification number. Teachers who receive them are required to sign a bond of responsibility.
“We have payroll and CE numbers of all teachers. If a device is lost or damaged due to negligence, it can be traced and the replacement cost deducted from the teacher’s salary,” she explained.
As part of the rollout, training for 10,000 teachers on digital lesson preparation and classroom technology use is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Hajiya Binta stressed that TESS marks a new chapter in Katsina’s education sector by equipping teachers and pupils with modern tools, while also strengthening school safety, discipline, and accountability.
