The Katsina State Agency for Mass Education has announced plans to commence literacy classes for repentant bandits, as part of a broader initiative to reintegrate them into society and sustain ongoing peace efforts in the state.
The programme, according to the Executive Director of the agency, Bilkisu Muhammad Kakai, will offer both Islamic and Western education and will be rolled out in phases across local government areas where peace agreements have been reached and bandits have voluntarily laid down arms.
Speaking with journalists, Kakai said facilitators were ready for deployment and that local government chairmen would be involved in coordinating the classes.
“We will liaise with local government chairmen to open the classes in phases. The core subjects will focus on Islamic and Western education,” she said.
Reviewing the agency’s activities over the past six months, Kakai disclosed that 68 new adult education classes had been established in communities under the watch of district heads across the state.
She also announced the opening of a Basic Post-Literacy class at the Katsina Correctional Centre to support inmates pursuing further education.
“The Basic Post-Literacy class is designed to help inmates to progress academically and, eventually, enroll in university for a degree certificate,” she said.
Kakai, also revealed that budgetary provisions had been made this year to address the challenges facing these centres.
However, she appealed to lawmakers representing Katsina at the National Assembly to partner with the agency in expanding literacy efforts.
“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,” Kakai urged.
