The Katsina State Government has commenced the disbursement of more than N640.6 million outstanding scholarship allowances to about 47,935 fresh and continuing indigenous students of the state.
Gov. Dikko Radda, in his remarks at the event on Monday, said that the payment was for the 2020/2021 and the 2021/2022 academic session.
Radda also gave assurance of his administration’s commitment to making the lives of the students better, pledging prompt payment of students’ scholarships in tertiary institutions.
According to him, It is important to support students, especially during this period that the economy is not too favourable to parents, as well as to the students.
He added, “We will also make sure that we choose the best out of you and sponsor them to study abroad, so that they will have the kind of exposure they need to provide the kind of leadership needed in our state in the future.
“You are not unaware of the fact that the state under my administration, has laid down the foundation for the establishment of three special model schools.”
Radda said that the schools would be provided to give opportunities to bright students in the villages, so that they would have opportunities like other children in the state.
He said that the children of the elites have the opportunity of being taken to private schools at different degrees, while the children of the poor do not have such opportunities.
“The establishment of the special model schools is to provide that kind of opportunity to the less privileged, so that they can rub shoulders with the children of the elites or even better than them,” Radda said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the state’s Scholarship Board, Dr Aminu Salisu-Tsauri, said that the board intended to propose an upward review of scholarship allowances to reflect the current economic realities.
“The board also intends to introduce attendance registers to improve discipline and punctuality among staff, as well as introduce skills based scholarship, both (foreign/local), with step-down bonds.
“We will also seek for the conversion of the Katsina State Scholarship Board to Katsina State Scholarship and Loans Trust Fund in line with the Federal Government’s Agenda.
“We will also seek for the provision of National and Bursary awards scholarship from the Federal Government, to 91 students of Katsina State.
“These among other things are part of the government’s renewed hope agenda,” Salisu-Tsauri revealed.