The Katsina State Agency for Mass Education has disclosed plans to commence literacy classes tailored for those who have laid down their arms.
The initiative, according to the agency, follows recent peace pacts achieved in several local government areas previously troubled by banditry.
During a press briefing in Katsina, the Executive Director of the agency, Bilkisu Muhammad Kakai, revealed that facilitators are set to be deployed to initiate the educational programme, which will provide both Islamic and Western education to the former bandits.
“We will liaise with local government chairmen to open the classes in phases. The core subjects will focus on Islamic and Western education,” Kakai said.
She added that the programme is part of a wider government strategy to support behavioral reform and peaceful reintegration.
It had been earlier reported that a number of bandits had voluntarily surrendered their weapons during peace negotiations aimed at restoring normalcy in affected areas.
Reviewing the agency’s achievements over the past six months, Kakai noted that 68 new adult education classes had been established within the surroundings of district heads across the state, reflecting the agency’s commitment to tackling illiteracy.
She further revealed that a Basic Post-Literacy class has been inaugurated at the Katsina Correctional Centre to support inmates who are interested in continuing their academic journey.
According to her, “The Basic Post-Literacy class is designed to assist inmates to progress academically and, eventually, enroll in university for a degree certificate.”
The director also disclosed that she had embarked on a statewide tour of all local government areas to inspect adult education and women centres, with the aim of evaluating their facilities and learning conditions.
While commending Governor Dikko Umar Radda for his continued support, Kakai emphasized that financial allocations had been included in the state’s current budget to address critical needs at the centres.
She also appealed to federal lawmakers representing the state to partner with the agency by investing in the expansion of adult literacy and women empowerment centres in their constituencies.
“The National Assembly members should dedicate a percentage of their constituency allowances to support the running of adult education classes in their areas in order to wipe out illiteracy and poverty in their area,” she said.
