“According to recent UNESCO data, approximately 44 million teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030,” Albert stated.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, has assured the European Union and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that his administration will ensure vulnerable groups in the State have access to quality education.
The Governor revealed this on Wednesday, 5th March, 2025 during the launching of EU-UNESCO project titled, “Expanding, Integrating, and Strengthening Systems (EISS) to Build Teachers Capacity and Resilience,” at the State Banquet Hall.
The Governor, in his keynote address, described education as the foundation of progress. Adding that “No society can thrive without an educated and empowered population.”
Radda reiterated that the project aligns perfectly with the administration’s vision of inclusive and quality education, particularly for vulnerable groups including girls, persons with disabilities, and out-of-school children.
He further stated that the initiative will expand access to quality education, especially in rural and underserved areas and improve teacher training and curriculum development to meet global standards.
“This program will strengthen technical and vocational education for student self-reliance and leverage technology in education to bridge learning gaps,” the Governor added.
Radda immediately directed the Honourable Commissioner of Education to provide office accommodation for the project team as soon as possible to facilitate smooth operations.
The Governor expressed profound appreciation to the European Union, UNESCO, and all partners for their dedication to advancing education and human capital development in Katsina State.
The Governor, subsequently, launched the State Project Steering Committee, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder collaboration in driving the initiative forward.
“We are working to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, communities, and the private sector to further expand the reach and impact of this initiative,” he explained.
Earlier, State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa, emphasized that the project is particularly timely, addressing global challenges in education, including teacher capacity building and systemic improvements.
“It represents a collaborative effort between the Katsina State Government, UNESCO, and the European Union to transform educational opportunities for young people,” noted the Commissioner.
The Commissioner called for broad collaboration, noting that the project’s success depends on the collective commitment of government agencies, international partners, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
In his remarks, the UNESCO Abuja Office Head, Mr. Albert Mendy, explained that the project is a joint initiative between UNESCO and the European Union to address critical challenges in the education sector, particularly the global shortage of teachers.
“According to recent UNESCO data, approximately 44 million teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030,” Albert stated.
The UNESCO Head who also revealed that a needs assessment was earlier conducted in Katsina State, emphasized, “As we approach the 2030 Agenda deadline, the pivotal role of teachers in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 has become increasingly apparent.”
He further noted that the project will deploy a resident Programme Assistant in Katsina to ensure active engagement and project implementation.
Albert particularly commended the collaborative approach from the State Government, with Governor Radda providing critical support and an enabling environment for implementation.
