Connect with us

News

ASSEP will develop, equip students to adapt to the realities of 21st century—VP Shettima

Published

on

 

By: Ajiya Ayuba Bauchi

The vice president of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima has said that Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP) will pave the way for skills development among students.

He said that the program will equip students to adapt to the realities of the 21st century.

Advertisement

Shettima said this during launching of the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP) in Bauchi State.

He revealed that the program is an initiative rolled out to transform education deficit and socio-economic development in the Northeast sub-region. 

The program, according to him, seeks to address the gap in education deficit and enrolment in tertiary institutions, and tackles the dysfunction at critical levels of education, particularly in post-primary education, where the region’s enrolment rate stands at a mere 19%.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the ASSEP program will be implemented in phases, with a focus on virtual learning, teacher training, coaching, quizzes, and human resource development. 

Advertisement

Vice President, Shettima emphasized the need to adopt technology that enhances learning and tackles the human resource deficits that hinder the progress of the state in the sub-region, describing ASSEP as a catalyst for educational transformation.

He called on all stakeholders to support the program, which is designed to raise a generation of skilled and creative thinkers who excel in problem-solving, which is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for the Northeast region “President treats our challenges as top priorities,” Shetima said.

Speeking during the program, Dr. Mariam Masha, SSA Regional Development, who expressed gratitude to the Presidency and NEDC for their unwavering support and commitment to the initiative. Dr. Masha highlighted the significance of ASSEP in bridging the educational gap in the Northeastern region, where post-primary enrollment data for 2022 showed a mere 19%. Adding that ASSEP is designed to stimulate learning and incentivize high achievement in science and skills development.

The program’s main components include: Training teachers with modern skills, Out-of-school children enrollment, Quiz competitions, Examination coaching and Virtual instruction.

Advertisement

The Host Governor, Northeast governors, NEDC, and partners, all reaffirmed their commitment to implementing ASSEP across all six states in the region. 

Responding, the Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the Northeast Governors’ Forum, Babagana Umara Zulum, however assured their full support and urged the ASSEP team to provide a feedback mechanism for the governors to access data and make informed decisions about advancing education in the region, which was severely affected by the insurgency.

In a remark, the MD of NEDC, Mohammed G. Alkali

promised to establish at least one center in each senatorial district as the “NEDC Centre of Excellence,” where school-leaving students will be trained and prepared for JAMB and SSCE.

Advertisement

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the pioneer beneficiaries of ASSEP on the impact of virtual learning and their career aspirations after the eye-opening training by the ASSEP Team. 

Some North East governor’s in attendance were: Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of Bauchi, Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno, Inuwa Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe, and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.

Other dignitaries include: Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture & Food Security, Alhaji Mohammed G. Alkali, MD NEDC, Musa Mai-Tafsiri DG NTI, Executive Directors & Management of NEDC, all former Governors of Bauchi State and representatives of NTIC, UNICEF, IDICE, Teachers, ASSEP Focal persons and other critical stakeholders.

Advertisement
Share via
Copy link