By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Vice-President Kashim Shettima in collaboration with the North East Development Commission (NEDC) have launched a first Batch training of 150 Teachers drawn from various Secondary schools in Borno State.

The first Batch of beneficiaries were from public and private Secondary schools such as Yerwa, Mafoni, Bullabulin, Mairi, Namu, Elkanemi, Capital among others, who would undergo a Two-Day training under the Accelerated School Support Education Program (ASSEP), which aim to transform education quality in the North East region in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Declaring the programme open at Education Resource Centre in Maiduguri on Monday, Personal Assistant Domestic & North-East Affairs, office of the Vice-President, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad said, the gesture is intended to cover all teachers across the North East states of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa and Gombe.

He added that beneficiaries are expected to cascade the knowledge gained down to their respective schools for the benefit of Teachers and Students based on the ASSEP that is designed to upgrade teaching skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and agriculture.

Muhammad also said, the exercise is inline with the education revitalization commitment under the supervision of the Senior Special Assistant on Regional
Development to the President, office of the Vice President, Dr. Mariam
Masha with support from NEDC.

“I am honoured to recognize Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Visionary
Leadership in Launching the Accelerated School Support Education
Program (ASSEP), which aim to transform education quality in the
northeast region in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and education revitalization commitment under the supervision of the Senior Special Assistant on Regional
Development to the President, office of the Vice President, Dr. Mariam
Masha with support from the NEDC.

“Education is the greatest game changer, and on behalf of the PIT, I commend the Borno State government under the leadership of Professor Babagana Zulum, for his unwavering commitment to enhancing education despite the challenges of insecurity in the state.

” The Governor’s tireless efforts, alongside the State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe and other stakeholders have significantly contributed to ASSEP’s successful implementation.

“To our dedicated teachers, your participation in the 1 Million Black Belt
Teachers virtual training demonstrates exceptional dedication to
excellence.

“This in-person training marks crucial up skilling, aligning with global best practices, focusing on enhancing capacity, transforming
education quality, and fostering student excellence.

“We’ll assess training impact through student quizzes, hoping for Borno
state to lead as a citadel of knowledge. Thank you to our partners for your
unwavering support and special appreciation to NEDC for their
sponsorship, which has played a vital role in the implementation of the
project.

“As Malcolm X said, ‘Education is the passport for a better tomorrow.’ Your perseverance will profoundly impact student performance and help build a better and prosperous future”. Comrade Muhammad stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Focal Person ASSEP, Suleiman Abba Sheriff urged the participants to take good use of the opportunity in order to change the narratives, especially on the current decline of quality education in the region.

Also in his submission, the Team Lead, Mr. Gbenga Ojo said, the training will provide needed skills and knowledge for the teachers to enable them deliver lectures and reposition the education sector for a better, so that, students would be able to write reports, memos, design websites, speaks good english and cope with modern realities.