The Katsina State Universal Education Board, SUBEB has intensfied efforts to expand access to basic education and address the growing challenge of school dropouts.
SUBEB in collaboration with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),, on Monday, 13th July, 2026, organised a comprehensive community sensitisation programme in Maska Town, Funtua Local Government Education Authority, and Unguwar Maude Nomadic Primary School, Malumfashi Local Government Education Authority, Katsina State.
The advocacy initiative, facilitated by the Social Mobilisation Department, was aimed at mobilising community support for the enrolment of school-age children and the reintegration of pupils who had prematurely withdrawn from formal education.
The programme forms part of the sustained commitment of UBEC and SUBEB Katsina to improving enrolment, strengthening retention mechanisms and ensuring that every child completes the prescribed cycle of basic education in line with the Federal Government’s education policy objectives.
Activities commenced with an opening prayer, followed by welcome remarks and the formal inauguration of the sensitisation exercise. Participants were subsequently briefed on the strategic objectives of the programme, while goodwill messages were delivered by education administrators, community leaders and other critical stakeholders.
Representing the Executive Chairman of the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Kabir Magaji Gafiya, the Permanent Member II, Hon. Rabiu Idris Funtua, highlighted the immense benefits of education to societal development. He emphasised that quality education remains the cornerstone of sustainable growth, economic prosperity and social transformation, urging parents and guardians to prioritise the education of their children in order to secure a brighter future for both the community and the state at large.
Speaking during the event, various stakeholders underscored the indispensable role of parents, traditional institutions, religious leaders and community-based organisations in creating an enabling environment for educational development and safeguarding every child’s fundamental right to quality basic education.
They further stressed that tackling the out-of-school children crisis and promoting inclusive education require collective responsibility, sustained advocacy and stronger collaboration among all segments of society.
The Education Secretaries of Funtua and Malumfashi Local Government Education Authorities, Hajiya Maryam Babajo Ibrahim and Malam Musa Ibrahim Wanzamai, respectively, expressed their delight and profound appreciation to UBEC and SUBEB Katsina for selecting their local government areas for the sensitisation exercise. They noted that the initiative would significantly enhance awareness of the importance of education and strengthen efforts aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children.
The two education administrators further commended the commitment of the state government and relevant stakeholders towards improving access to quality basic education. They expressed optimism that the advocacy campaign would yield positive results, particularly as many children were successfully registered and reintegrated into schools during the exercise.
A major highlight of the exercise was the registration of newly admitted pupils, as well as the re-enrolment of children who had previously dropped out of school, reaffirming the determination of the education authorities to guarantee universal access to learning opportunities.
The sensitisation programme attracted a large turnout of dignitaries and stakeholders from various sectors, including education administrators, School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) executives, traditional rulers, community leaders, teachers, parents, religious leaders and development partners, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the campaign for increased school enrolment and the reintegration of out-of-school children into the formal education system.
Participants at both venues reiterated the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, local communities and relevant stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to quality, inclusive and equitable basic education.
The participants also called on parents and guardians to prioritise the education of their children and to work closely with relevant authorities in realising the vision of UBEC and SUBEB Katsina, under the leadership of Dr Kabir Magaji Gafiya, to provide equitable, accessible and sustainable basic education for all children.
