Katsina Schools Must Now Meet 5 Key Standards to Operate

Katsina Schools Must Now Meet 5 Key Standards to Operate

Katsina schools have entered a new phase of reform as the state government introduces strict guidelines to improve the quality of private and community education.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Zainab Musawa, revealed these guidelines during a one-day workshop in Katsina. The announcement comes as part of Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s drive to fix challenges in education and build a better future for students across the state.

Musawa said the goal is simple but powerful: make schools safer, stronger, and more reliable. She spoke directly to school owners, headmasters, teachers, and community leaders, urging them to embrace the changes.

She stressed that private and community schools are key to shaping the minds of children and helping the state grow. “ education is the cornerstone of progress,” she said. “Private and community schools play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our children.”

The new guidelines focus on five key areas—school buildings, how lessons are taught, teacher qualifications, student safety, and legal compliance. According to Musawa, these areas had become weak in many schools, and the new rules aim to fix them from the ground up.

To run legally in Katsina, every private or community school will now have to meet fresh standards. The state has updated the approval process so only schools that meet the minimum requirements can operate.

“No more shortcuts,” Musawa said. “The approval process is now open and transparent. We want every parent to feel confident that their child is safe and getting the right education.”

She explained that community schools will also need to show development plans involving the people they serve. This means that local leaders, parents, and school managers must work together to improve the schools in their areas.

“For community schools specifically,” she said, “the guidelines require demonstration of long-term development plans involving local stakeholders, ensuring schools serve as hubs for community welfare.”

These rules are still in draft form, and the ministry has asked for feedback. Musawa said they want to work with everyone to make the guidelines better. “These guidelines are not static. We are committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement. Your feedback is vital to refining these policies,” she said.

She urged schools to register for the approval process and start making changes now. She also asked school owners to invest in teacher training and to make student health and safety a top priority.

Musawa assured them that they won’t be left alone. The ministry will support schools with resources, partnerships, and training. She said they are even looking at modern tools, like AI-powered learning platforms, and expanding community reading programs to help students do better.

“As we move forward, let us remember that education is a shared responsibility. These guidelines are a roadmap to excellence, not a barrier,” she said.

This move signals a new chapter for education in Katsina. For many schools, especially those in rural communities, these guidelines could be life-changing. Some schools may need to fix buildings. Others may need to hire more qualified teachers or update their teaching methods.

But for parents and students, the message is clear: better education is on the way.

The state government is taking bold steps to close the gap between poor and high-performing schools. By involving communities and focusing on quality, Katsina is working to give every child the chance to succeed—whether they attend school in the city or a small village.

These reforms may seem tough, but they offer hope. With over 1,200 private and community schools in Katsina, the impact will touch thousands of lives. This is not just about rules. It’s about giving every child a fair chance and building schools that truly prepare them for life.