The Federal Government's Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP) has been hailed as a major catalyst for transforming the educational landscape of Nigeria's North East region.
Launched by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima on May 18, ASSEP introduces innovative approaches to secondary education, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA).
The ASSEP intervention project is being driven by Office of the Vice President and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) towards transforming educational development of the North East Region.
Teachers and stakeholders in Gombe State have praised ASSEP for its positive impact.
Sulaiman Muhammad Jalaludeen, a teacher from Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, described ASSEP as a "good initiative by the Federal Government" that will revolutionize schools, teachers, and students.
Hajiya Ummi Bappah, a Biology Teacher at Government Arabic College, noted that ASSEP has enhanced productivity and understanding, making complex concepts more accessible through Virtual Reality.
"The introduction of Virtual Reality has made teaching and learning more engaging and effective," she said.
Gombe State President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS), Mr. Abubakar Sadiq, advocated for ASSEP's sustainability and expansion to more schools, citing its impressive learning outcomes.
"ASSEP has yielded impressive outcomes in terms of learning. We must ensure its continuity and expansion to benefit more students," he emphasized.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari, commended ASSEP's intervention, praising the Office of the Vice President and North East Development Commission (NEDC) for introducing the life-changing program.
"ASSEP is a laudable initiative that complements our state's investments in public education," she said.
Dr. Mariam Masha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, described ASSEP as a game-changer accelerating educational development in the region, aligning with President Bola Tinubu's renewed Hope Agenda.
"ASSEP goes beyond just schooling; it's about total education, focusing on multiple aspects of an individual's human capital," she explained.
"ASSEP is part of the Federal Government's efforts to transform education outcomes in North East states."
Hajiya Sa’adatu Ahmed Shehu, Chairperson of ASSEP Implementation Team, emphasized that ASSEP benefits students, teachers, schools, and North-East states, focusing on STEMA for future development and human empowerment.
"The feedback from teachers has been impressive, with training and curriculum development helping them deliver high-quality education," she said.
The ASSEP Project Implementation Team (PIT) had convened the engagement session with Gombe stakeholders, including school teachers, principals, and policy makers, to discuss ASSEP's progress and future plans.
The team had earlier visited several schools in Gombe, including Government Girls Science School, Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kaltungo, and Government Secondary School, Doma and other educational institutions as part of the two-day assessment visit to the state.
ASSEP's innovative approaches and focus on STEMA are expected to drive future development and human empowerment in the North East region.
With its positive impact already being felt in Gombe State, ASSEP is poised to transform the edu
cational landscape of the region.
