Launch of the SCALE programme and Teaching at the Right Level

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the official launch of the Scaling Access and Learning in Education (SCALE) Programme, with the support of FCDO, including the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach.

Today marks an important milestone in our continuing determination to ensure that every child in Katsina has access to quality, safe and meaningful education and importantly, actually learns.

For us, education is not simply about getting children into school. Access is only the beginning; learning is the ultimate objective.

A child must not only be enrolled; the child must learn. A child must not only attend school; the child must be safe. And a teacher must not only be present; the teacher must be adequately supported to teach effectively.

This is why our administration has continued to give attention to interventions across the education sector, including safe school initiatives, teacher support, professional development and measures aimed at improving the learning environment and strengthening education delivery.

We recognise, however, that the challenges facing education require sustained attention — from access and retention to foundational learning, teacher capacity, school safety and effective management of the education system.

Strengthening Foundational Learning

The introduction of Teaching at the Right Level is particularly significant because it reinforces an important principle: children learn differently, and effective teaching must respond to what children actually know and can do.

We want to see an education system increasingly guided by evidence — one where learning gaps are identified, teachers are supported to address those gaps, and progress is continuously assessed.

The SCALE Programme therefore complements our broader efforts to improve both access and learning outcomes, particularly for children who face greater barriers to quality education.

We are encouraged by the work undertaken so far and by the emerging evidence from the programme. We will continue to engage with our partners to understand what works, learn from the experience and consider how successful approaches can contribute to the wider improvement of education in Katsina State.

Our Commitment

Let me assure you that Katsina State remains committed to strengthening the foundations required for sustainable educational improvement.

We will continue to support safer and more inclusive learning environments; strengthen teacher support and professional development; improve teaching and learning practices; encourage evidence-based approaches to addressing learning gaps; deepen collaboration with communities and stakeholders; and work with partners to bring innovation, expertise and additional resources into our education system.

Our intention is not simply to implement isolated projects.

Our ambition is to build an education system that can continuously improve.

Where an approach demonstrates value and produces results, we will continue to explore appropriate ways of integrating and sustaining such approaches within our education system.

This is the kind of partnership we welcome — partnerships that strengthen our institutions, build local capacity and leave behind knowledge, systems and practices that can continue to serve our people.

Partnership for Sustainable Impact

On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, I sincerely appreciate FCDO and all partners supporting this important intervention.

We do not see development partnerships simply as sources of funding. We see them as opportunities to bring knowledge, innovation, expertise, systems and sustainable solutions into our State.

We therefore welcome more partnerships and more ambitious interventions in education.

At the same time, we recognise the importance of government ownership. Our intention is to ensure that successful approaches are understood, appropriately integrated and, where feasible, sustained within the State's education system.

I particularly commend the institutions, education officials, teachers, facilitators, communities and development partners who have contributed to bringing the SCALE Programme to this stage.

Investing in the Future

Distinguished guests,

Every child sitting in a classroom today represents a future possibility — a future teacher, doctor, engineer, entrepreneur, civil servant, scientist, leader or innovator.

When we improve education, we are not simply improving schools.

We are shaping the future of Katsina State.

That is why our commitment remains unwavering: no child should be left behind because of where they live, their circumstances or the challenges facing their community.

We will continue to work with our teachers, communities, development partners and education institutions to make quality education more accessible, safer and more effective for every child.

With these remarks, and with great optimism for what this partnership can achieve, I hereby officially launch the Scaling Access and Learning in Education (SCALE) Programme, including the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) intervention, in Katsina State.

Together, let us build safer schools, better-supported teachers, classrooms where children genuinely learn, and an education system capable of preparing our children for the future.

The future of Katsina begins in the classroom, and that future is worth investing in.

Thank you.

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.has access to