Katsina State has unveiled a sweeping education reform aimed at moving classrooms from chalkboards to tablets, in what many describe as the most ambitious transformation of the sector in decades.
The initiative, known as the Transforming Education System at State Level (TESS), is spearheaded by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration in partnership with the World Bank. It is designed to replace outdated teaching methods with technology-driven learning, improve school safety, and boost the welfare of teachers and pupils.
In an exclusive chat with Katsina Times on Friday, the State TESS Coordinator, Hajiya Binta Abdulmumini Ahmed, said the project is setting a new benchmark for education in northern Nigeria.
“For too long, some teachers have walked into classrooms without adequate preparation or proper use of the national curriculum. With these tablets, preloaded with lessons in English, Mathematics and Science, teaching becomes structured, simplified and more effective,” she explained.
Each device, she noted, comes with a power bank to ensure uninterrupted use in schools that lack electricity or internet connectivity.
Beyond digital learning, the reform also prioritises equity and security. Free learning materials are being distributed to underprivileged pupils, while CCTV cameras have been installed in 130 schools across all local government areas in the first phase of the project.
“These cameras are not just about surveillance—they are about creating a safe, accountable and disciplined learning environment. We plan to scale up to more schools in subsequent phases,” Hajiya Binta added.
Accountability measures are also built into the system. Each tablet carries a unique identification number, and teachers must sign responsibility bonds. “If any device is lost or damaged through negligence, it will be traced and the replacement cost deducted from the teacher’s salary,” she said firmly.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to train 10,000 teachers on digital lesson planning and classroom technology, with sessions beginning on Monday, August 25, 2025.
According to Hajiya Binta, the TESS programme signals a turning point for Katsina’s education sector. “This is more than a technology project. It’s about equipping teachers and pupils with the tools of tomorrow, while ensuring our schools are safe, disciplined, and accountable,” she concluded.
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