The Katsina State Government has revoked the licences of all private and community schools operating in the state, effective August 13, 2025, as part of sweeping reforms in the education sector.
The move, according to the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Zainab Musa-Musawa, is aimed at strengthening quality assurance, ensuring standardisation, and improving oversight of teaching and learning in the state.
In a circular signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Sani Danjuma, the government directed all affected schools to reapply for fresh licences. Proprietors are required to submit payment receipts for application and registration fees through the Department of Private and Community Schools.
All payments must be made into the state’s single treasury account no later than September 30, 2025, the circular stated.
Musa-Musawa explained that the re-licensing exercise was designed to promote accountability, enhance supervision, and align school operations with the state’s education reform policy.
“The ministry hereby notifies the public, proprietors, and administrators of all private and community schools that all previously issued operational licences have been officially terminated,” the statement read.
The commissioner added that stakeholders had earlier been sensitised on June 2, 2025, about the new policy regulating private and community schools. The policy, she said, reflects the state’s determination to safeguard the future of children by adopting global best practices in education delivery.
She further noted that while licence application, registration, annual renewal, and upgrade fees have been revised, schools are prohibited from increasing tuition fees without prior approval from the ministry.
Details on the categorisation of schools and a breakdown of the revised fees will be communicated directly to the National Association of Proprietors of Private and Community Schools.
The government assured that schools would continue normal academic activities while the re-registration and annual licence renewal processes are ongoing.
