NEDC Trains 100 Teachers in STEM, Agriculture in Taraba
The North East Development Commission (NEDC), under the directive of Vice President Kashim Shettima, has commenced a two-day training program for 100 teachers specializing in science, technology, agriculture, and engineering in Taraba State.
The initiative, part of the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP), aims to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria’s North-East region, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA). The program seeks to modernize teaching methods and improve learning outcomes by equipping teachers with 21st-century skills.
Dr. Augusta Godwin, Taraba State Commissioner for Education, commended the federal government for the initiative, noting that it aligns with Governor Agbu Kefas’s free education policy. She emphasized that ASSEP is a vital component of the state’s education blueprint and assured that teachers in other disciplines, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), would also benefit from training programs.
“The program enhances teaching and learning while advancing Taraba’s free education agenda. Trained teachers will cascade their knowledge to colleagues, amplifying its impact,” Godwin stated.
Mr. Idris Goje, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, explained that the 100 participating teachers were selected from 500 ASSEP educators in the state. He highlighted the existence of 100 designated STEMA schools in Taraba, serving over 5,000 students.
Musa Bulama, the training team lead, described the program as a continuation of an earlier online training that exposed hundreds of teachers across the North-East to modern teaching techniques.
“This initiative fosters student excellence, promotes competition, and enhances learning in STEM subjects. Taraba is the final state in the region to benefit from this program,” Bulama said.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for the training, noting its potential to boost their teaching capacity. Mrs. Agnes Musa, a science teacher, said the training would enhance her ability to teach science and technology effectively. Similarly, Mr. Samuel Audu from Government Day Secondary School Sabongida stated that the program motivated him to innovate in his teaching methods.
The ASSEP initiative underscores the federal government’s commitment to driving human development and innovation in Nigeria’s North-East region.
