The Federal Government, through the North East Development Commission (NEDC) sponsored Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP) is providing mobile laboratories and virtual reality headsets to boost educational development in the North East States.
Sa’adatu Shehu, Chairperson of the Project Implementation Committee, ASSEP, stated this during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
The ASSEP intervention project was launched in May2024, by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Bauchi State.
Shehu said the programme was an initiative of the Office of the Vice President, and funded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
She said it was designed to improve educational outcomes by addressing specific gaps in the quality of secondary education across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States.
She explained that the deployment of instructional materials would equip students with the academic knowledge and practical skills needed for the modern workforce.
“The region has faced persistent challenges due to conflict, limited infrastructure, and gaps in teacher quality and educational resources.
“As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, ASSEP is transforming education in Northeast Nigeria by focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA).
“This initiative seeks to improve student learning, foster healthy competition, and promote excellence in STEMA.
“It goes beyond just schooling. It’s about total education, focusing on multiple aspects of an individual’s human capital, social, intellectual, psychological and emotional development.” She said.
Aisha Umar, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Adamawa State, appreciated the Federal Government for the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards improving education in the region.
She highlighted that the Northeast had faced long-standing neglect in the education sector due to persistent conflict in the region.
Umar encouraged teachers and students to embrace the programme, emphasising its potential to transform the education sector in Adamawa.
She expressed gratitude to the NEDC for the initiative, noting that it would significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children and enhance the capacity of teachers.
A teacher, at the General Murtala Mohammed College, Godiya Mamza, commended the NEDC for the initiative, stating that the training has significantly enhanced her teaching skills and learning capacity.
By prioritising education, the Federal Government underscores its commitment to fostering academic excellence and human empowerment in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The programme is targeted at senior secondary school students across the six states of the Northeast: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.
ASSEP is Part of Federal Government efforts through the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to transform vital education outcomes in the North East States of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe Taraba and Yobe in line President Bola Tinubu renewed hope Agenda.
The programme’s focus is pragmatic and covers Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEMA); subjects that form the foundations of modern economic productivity in any country that aspires to develop.
By intent, ASSEP goes beyond just schooling. It’s about total education, focusing on multiple aspects of an individual’s human capital (social, intellectual, psychological and emotional development).
ASSEP seeks to drive future development and human empowerment in Nigeria’s North East.
