The Katsina State Government has commenced a headcount of students in some government secondary schools with a view to improving accuracy in data reporting and ensuring effective allocation of school running costs.

The headcount, which commenced on Monday in the Katsina senatorial zone, is expected to last for a number of days until all secondary school students are enumerated.

Similar headcounts had earlier been carried out in Katsina South and North senatorial zones, with the exercise being handled by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, through its Internal Audit Department, in collaboration with the office of the Auditor General and the Zonal Education Quality Assurance unit.

On Monday, audit teams visited several schools within the state metropolitan area, including Government Day Secondary School Kofar Yandaka, Government School for the Blind, Government Senior Secondary School Kofar Kaura, Tudun Matawalle, and Sir Usman Nagogo College of Arabic and Islamic Studies (SUNCAIS).

The team is also expected to continue the exercise on Tuesday morning and into the week, in other schools in the zone.

Speaking, Director of Internal Audit, Ghali Sani said the headcount would provide reliable student data to help the ministry allocate educational resources more efficiently.

Sani said the exercise is part of the Governor Dikko Radda-led administration’s effort at revitalising the educational sector.

He commended the ministry’s commissioner, Zainab Musawa, alongside the Office of the Auditor General, Zonal Education Quality Assurance, and school administrators for their support in facilitating the headcount.