Shettima Launches Accelerated Education Programme For North East

• Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated ASSEP, which aims to improve education outcomes and vocational skills among secondary school graduates in the North East
• Shettima emphasized the importance of secondary education and commended Northeast governors for their commitment to the region’s development

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP), an initiative spearheaded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC). The program aims to drive significant improvements in education outcomes and the acquisition of vocational skills among secondary school graduates in six North East states.

During the program’s launch and the commissioning of the newly constructed Government building Saturday in Bauchi, the Vice President emphasized the importance of secondary education as a crucial bridge following primary schooling. Shettima noted the challenges faced by the Northeast region in enforcing uniform education policies and overcoming cultural barriers to formal education.

“The consequences of the nation’s action and inaction are evident in all indices used to assess our development. We in the Northeast occupy a quantum position in ranking essential services. Education, a key sector of this country, is particularly crucial in post-primary education,” he stated.

Shettima commended the current crop of governors in the region for their unity, purpose, and commitment to the Northeast’s development. He stressed the need for collaboration and solidarity among the governors to address the challenges of poverty, deprivation, and insecurity in the subregion.

In his remarks, Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), outlined ASSEP’s objectives, which include boosting post-primary education ratings, enhancing enrolment into tertiary institutions, developing vocational skills, and improving teacher quality.

Alkali highlighted ASSEP’s focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and communication, aiming to foster creativity, critical thinking, and innovation among young people. He emphasized the program’s role in motivating and inspiring students to generate new technologies and ideas through inquiry-based tasks.