Katsina State is facing a severe education crisis, with over 500,000 children currently out of school, according to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The Chief of UNICEF, Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah, disclosed this during a press briefing on the occasion of the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025.
Farah stated that 536,112 children are out of school in Katsina State, reflecting a broader crisis in Northwest Nigeria, where access to, and the quality of education remain critical concerns.
He attributed the high number to the challenges which include limited access, insufficient funding, and poor educational quality.
Farah lamented that even for children attending school, learning outcomes are dismal.
He added that foundational skills in literacy and numeracy remain far below national averages, with less than 26 per cent of children achieving reading proficiency and only 25 per cent demonstrating basic numeracy skills.
Farah noted that the challenges pose long-term risks for human capital development in the state.
He however stated that UNICEF has implemented various programmes aimed at addressing these challenges.
The programmes, he noted, include engaging traditional and community leaders to promote school attendance, supporting vulnerable families, improving infrastructure, training teachers, rehabilitating schools, and constructing climate-resilient facilities.
Other efforts, he added, were focused on empowering girls with life skills to ensure inclusive education.
UNICEF therefore, called on the Katsina State government to increase funding for education and ensure timely release of budgeted funds.
He also urged the government to expand school infrastructure and address the shortage of qualified teachers.
“Education is a fundamental right and a pathway to sustainable development. With over half a million children out of school in Katsina, urgent and collaborative action is needed to secure the future of the state’s youth,” he said.
Farah assured that UNICEF will work with the Katsina State government and other stakeholders to transform education in the state.
