By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, has demonstrated willingness to facelift the learning environment of Secondary schools in the State.
He said to achieve this aim he will establish a State Senior Secondary Education Board.
Mutfwang stated this when the Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr. Iyela Ajayi, and his team paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
He said improving the learning environment for schools has become necessary if the Plateau students must complete favourably with their counterparts globally.
He said to make this a reality, he will take a clue from the federal government initiative in replicating the National Senior Secondary Education Commission in Plateau, adding that the effort, if achieved, will boost funding for the schools.
Speaking in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Gyang Bere, the Governor noted that since the Commission is new, there was a need to embark on advocacy visits to let people know that it exists..
According to him: “I know the debate that has been going on about the gaps at the secondary school level and it is gratifying to note that the government took action to establish a Commission to take charge of this critical sector of our educational system.
“The Senior Secondary School is a very critical juncture in the educational pursuit of every student. But for some time, it has been very glaring that things have been done haphazardly. The standard is deteriorating and it is a welcome development to attempt to put the standard in place for secondary education”, he said.
Mutfwang advocated the inclusion of other secondary schools that are neither private nor public into the Commission’s intervention to enhance their contribution in shaping competent young individuals to drive the country’s economy in the near future.
He said that the bill for the establishment of the State Senior Secondary Education Board would be worked on immediately and forwarded to the State House of Assembly without delay.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception and explained that the Commission would provide infrastructural development for secondary schools, with the State contributing 5 percent of the funding.
He said the Federal Government revitalized the NSSEC in 2021 to regulate and improve Senior Secondary Education, ensuring minimum standards and intervention in Nigeria’s senior secondary education.
Ajayi said in order to benefit from the Federal Government’s intervention fund, States are required to meet certain conditions, including establishing a Senior Secondary Education Board by the NSSEC Act.
