No fewer than 8000 primary one girls in Katsina State are to receive N160 million scholarships under Nigeria Partnership on Education Project (NIPEP) supported by Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

The state Commissioner for Education, Professor Halamatu Sa’adiyya Idris, disclosed this at the flag off of the scholarship scheme at Matazu in the state at the weekend.

Prof. Idris revealed that the parents of each of the benefitting girls would receive N20, 000 as part of the programme aimed at improving access to quality basic education in Katsina with particular attention to girls’ participation.

She expressed confidence that the programme would build on the on-going government expenditures and commitments towards improving education service delivery among others.

Flagging off the disbursement of the scholarship, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of the state advocated for law against withdrawal of children from school after enrolment.

The governor, who pointed out that traditional rulers in the state would be empowered to ensure compliance with the law, also assured that the envisaged amendment of the state primary education law would provide adequate protection to pupils.

According to him, the review of the law had become necessary following the report of UNICEF which revealed sexual harassment in some schools across the state.

Similarly, Governor Masari charged parents of girls benefitting from the scholarship not to divert the funds to other purposes beside the objective of the scholarship.

UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer in Charge of Katsina – Kano Zonal Office, Mrs. Fatima Yelda, urged parents to ensure that their children and wards go to school regularly.

Making the call in a goodwill message during the disbursement of the scholarship, Mrs. Yelda advised the government to tackle the problem of sexual harassment of girl child by any person in position of trust over them.