FG, NEDC Deploy 30 Mobile Laboratories to Boost Education in North-East
From:Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchi
The Federal Government, in partnership with the North East Development Commission (NEDC), has deployed 30 mobile laboratories and virtual reality (VR) headsets as part of the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP) to enhance learning in the North-East region.
The initiative, launched in May 2024 by Vice President Kashim Shettima, focuses on improving Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA) education across senior secondary schools in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, ASSEP Project Implementation Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Sa’adatu Shehu, described the program as a game-changer in addressing gaps in secondary education.
“ASSEP is designed to improve students' learning experience, foster healthy competition, and promote excellence in STEMA,” she said. “It is about total education, encompassing intellectual, psychological, social, and emotional development.”
The program’s mobile laboratories and VR headsets are aimed at giving students access to practical, hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for a competitive workforce.
Stakeholders Laud Initiative
The initiative has received commendations from education stakeholders in the region. Mrs. Aisha Umar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Adamawa State, described ASSEP as a major milestone in the region’s educational advancement.
“By addressing long-standing educational challenges, ASSEP is equipping our students with tools to succeed in today’s world,” she said.
Teachers also highlighted the program's impact on their professional development. Mrs. Godiya Mamza, a teacher at General Murtala Mohammed College (GMMC), praised the initiative for enhancing teaching methods.
“The training we received has improved our ability to teach STEMA subjects, and the students are responding positively,” she stated.
Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda
The ASSEP program aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes human capital development and transformative education to drive national progress.
The Federal Government’s investment in education through ASSEP underscores its commitment to empowering the youth in the North-East, a region rebuilding after years of conflict.
With the deployment of 30 mobile laboratories and innovative teaching tools, ASSEP is paving the way for a brighter future for students in the North-East, equipping them with the skills to compete globally and contribute to national development.