The Katsina State Government has launched a five-day intensive training program for 306 teachers aimed at improving classroom delivery and tackling the growing learning crisis in basic education.

The training, based on the Learning Lab Approach, is taking place simultaneously in Funtua, Malumfashi, and Kankia Local Government Areas.

Similar sessions had previously been held in Katsina, Daura, and Dutsin-Ma as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen teachers’ professional capacity across the state.

Speaking during the exercise in Kankia on Wednesday, Local Government Education Secretary Hamisu Isah praised UNICEF for supporting the initiative.
“This training gives teachers the chance to learn from each other and adopt new classroom strategies that enhance pupils’ engagement and performance,” he said.

Isah added that the program aligns with the state government’s vision to improve foundational literacy and numeracy through quality teaching at the basic education level.

At the Funtua center, Education Secretary Hajiya Maryam Babajo commended the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for organizing the training. She highlighted that UNICEF and SUBEB’s dedication to enhancing basic education through teacher capacity building will have a lasting impact.

The Team Lead for Facilitators, Mr. Danjuma Yusuf, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the Learning Lab model promotes learner-centered and inclusive education.

“UNICEF introduced the School-Based Teacher Professional Development (SBTPD) program to provide direct training to teachers and education experts, rather than relying on cascaded sessions that often dilute the impact,” he explained.

According to Yusuf, this direct engagement ensures teachers acquire practical skills that improve learning outcomes.
“When teachers teach effectively, learning happens naturally. You will see children reading fluently and performing better because they are receiving the right instruction,” he added.