The Borno State Government, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), has initiated a two-day training program for teachers on Monday.
This effort is part of the Accelerated Senior Secondary School Education Programme (ASSEP), a Federal Government project aimed at improving education across the country, with a particular focus on the six northeastern states.
The program centers on advancing education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA), aiming to modernize educational standards in these critical fields.
The launch event was held at the Ministry of Education hub in Maiduguri, where Borno State’s Commissioner for Education, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, officially inaugurated the program.
During the event, Wakilbe also unveiled the donation of 100 digital tools that will be used to support teachers during the training.
These tools are expected to greatly enhance the learning experience for both teachers and students, enabling the incorporation of digital resources into the classroom.
ASSEP is a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President, under the leadership of Kashim Shettima.
The ambitious goal of the program is to train one million teachers across Nigeria, focusing on improving the quality of education through several innovative approaches.
The program seeks to promote excellence in STEMA subjects by providing comprehensive teacher training, modernizing outdated classrooms, fostering a spirit of competition among students, and incorporating advanced technology such as virtual reality to enrich educational content development.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mariam Masha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, outlined the vision behind ASSEP.
She emphasized that the initiative is not only about empowering teachers but also about inspiring students and improving the overall education system in the country.
Dr. Masha highlighted that the program would also extend to skill acquisition programs for women, further broadening its scope and impact.
Commissioner Lawan Abba Wakilbe praised the ASSEP initiative, noting that it aligns closely with the Borno State Government’s agenda for transforming education, which Vice President Shettima initially championed during his tenure as governor of the state.
Wakilbe commended the Vice President’s continued commitment to advancing education, which has been a cornerstone of his political career.
However, Wakilbe also drew attention to the challenges faced by many students in the region, particularly those affected by recent flooding.
Many learners have lost books, uniforms, and other essential materials, making it difficult for them to continue their education.
He called for urgent support to help these students get back on track. Additionally, Wakilbe underscored the importance of providing hygiene kits for girls, an initiative aimed at improving retention rates in schools by addressing the specific needs of female students.
The event also featured an engagement session with teachers and other key stakeholders.
During this session, teachers who had completed online training to become “Black Belt” educators were recognized and awarded digital tools to help them integrate new technologies into their classroom teaching.
The launch of ASSEP in Borno marks a significant step forward in the region’s efforts to improve educational standards and ensure that teachers are well-equipped to inspire and educate the next generation of students.
