UNESCO, EU Partner to Enhance Education Policies in Katsina State

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has initiated the second phase of its education programme with the goal of enhancing education policy and improving the capacity and resilience of teachers in Katsina State.

The four-year project, titled "Expand, Integrate, and Strengthen Systems (EISS) to Build Teachers’ Capacity and Resilience in Katsina State," is funded by the European Union (EU). With support from the Federal and State Ministries of Education, UNESCO is implementing the project in six states—Katsina, Adamawa, Plateau, Oyo, Enugu, and Bayelsa—targeting the training of 20,000 teachers across these regions.

He said the project would also strengthen the state’s educational system by improving quality teaching and learning through enhanced teacher education programmes and improved teacher resilience.

Speaking at the official launch held at the Katsina State Government House, UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Albert Mendy, highlighted that the project would focus on reviewing and implementing educational policies and programs to improve the state's education system.

He said the project aligns “perfectly” with his administration’s vision of inclusive and quality education for all, adding that the state government was committed to ensuring that girls, persons with disabilities and out-of-school children have access to learning opportunities.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, who officially launched the EU-UNESCO project, pledged full policy support to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative in Katsina State. He directed the State Ministry of Education to provide office space for project staff to facilitate immediate commencement.

Radda said: “Through this project, we seek to expand access to quality education for all, particularly in the rural and underserved areas, improve teachers’ training and curriculum development to meet global standards.

To oversee and guide the project’s implementation, Governor Radda also inaugurated the State Project Steering Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Zainab Musawa. The initiative aims to bridge educational gaps by empowering teachers with the necessary skills and strengthening the overall education framework in Katsina and other participating states.