Katsina | January 8, 2026
A sharp decline in student enrolment at a government-owned girls’ secondary school has emerged as a major concern for the Katsina State Government, following an unscheduled inspection tour by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Sulaiman Jibia, in the Daura Education Zone.
During the visit on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the Commissioner discovered that Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Shargalle in Dutsi Local Government Area currently has only 34 students enrolled, a situation he described as a serious setback to the objectives of girls’ education and access to quality learning in the state.
The school Principal attributed the low enrolment and attendance to longstanding community-related challenges. In response, Hon. Jibia directed the Principal to mobilise the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), traditional rulers and other critical education stakeholders to meet with him at the Ministry, with a view to developing sustainable strategies to revitalise the school and restore its academic standing.
The inspection tour, which was part of ongoing efforts to ensure effective resumption of academic activities in boarding secondary schools across the state, also covered Government Girls Senior Secondary School (GGSSS) Rogogo, Government Girls Science Secondary School (GGSSS) Sandamu, Government Girls Arabic Junior and Senior Secondary School Fago, as well as the Zonal Education Quality Assurance (ZEQA) Office in Daura.
At GGSSS Rogogo, the Commissioner inspected classrooms, hostels and the school kitchen, and assessed teacher and student attendance, teaching and learning processes, as well as students’ welfare. After personally inspecting and tasting the meals served to students, he directed the school management to increase meal portions to ensure adequate nutrition.
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with student attendance and teachers’ commitment at GGSSS Sandamu. However, students appealed for improved laboratory equipment and increased meal portions. While assuring them that the Ministry would consider the request for laboratory facilities, Hon. Jibia immediately instructed the school Principal to increase the quantity of meals. He also advised students, particularly those in SS3, to remain focused and prepare diligently for their final examinations.
At Government Girls Arabic Junior and Senior Secondary School Fago, the school Principal raised concerns over frequent snake invasions within the school premises and the poor condition of some hostel facilities. She explained that temporary measures, including engaging traditional snake catchers and applying anti-snake treatments, had been adopted. Reacting swiftly, the Commissioner contacted the Chairman of Sandamu Local Government and directed the immediate clearing of overgrown vegetation around the school. He also instructed the Director of Works to visit the school, alongside others inspected, for technical assessment and necessary intervention.
The tour ended with a familiarisation visit to the Zonal Education Quality Assurance (ZEQA)Office in Daura, where the Commissioner interacted with staff and inspected the ICT Centre. He assured the officials that their challenges and requests would be carefully considered, and urged them to intensify monitoring and supervision of schools to maintain quality education standards.
Hon. Jibia was accompanied on the inspection by the Director of Senior Secondary Schools, Hajiya Raliya Yusuf, and the Director of Quality Assurance, Lawal Aliyu Muhammad.
