By Raphael Ekpang
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has said that with education being pivotal to development, getting it right in the sector, will lead the state to finding its bearing in all its development aspirations.
Engineer Sule stated this while inaugurating an all important committee on education sector development plan, at the Government House, on Wednesday.
While describing the event as a watershed in the determination of his administration to uplift the state to a new level of development, the Governor stressed that also informed the decision of the state government to commit substantial percentage of the 2020 budget to education.
According to Engineer Sule, the conception, composition and inauguration of the committee, was geared towards providing the impetus for the administration to actualize its vision in the state’s education sector.
Corereporters report that Gov. Suley emphasized on the recommendations contained in the report by an earlier technical committee that carried out baseline survey of public primary and secondary schools in the state, will serve as guide to the education sector development plan committee.
On the composition of the committee, Engineer Sule explained that government was meticulous while selecting members of the committee, comprising of broad spectrum of professionals both from within and outside the state.
The Governor used the opportunity of the event to reiterate the commitment of his administration towards uplifting science and technical education in the state, following which there is ongoing renovation and upgrading of science and technical schools.
While congratulating members of the newly inaugurated committee, Engineer Sule however reminded them that the people of the state look up to them with hope and great expectations, in the collective bid to turn around the education sector for the better.
Corereporters also report that, the committee which is to be chaired by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Fati Jimeta Sabo, has 12 weeks within which to submit its report.
According to the governor, “You committee must be guided by these terms of reference: You have to appraising the implementation of free education, school feeding, adult education, special education, as well as Family Life Health Education (FLHE) in terms of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, impact and sustainability in line with the goal of the Nasarawa State Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) and make appropriate recommendations.
“Also you should examine level of infrastructure decay in post primary institutions, particularly in science designated schools, vocational and relevant technology centres, technical schools and ICT centres in the state and recommend measures for their upgrading in line with the current needs and realities of the state.
“You should also consider, as a deliberate policy, the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for preparation of candidates of Nasarawa State origin for admission into tertiary institutions through direct entry of JAMB, with emphasis on specialized professional discipline in engineering, medicine, ICT and make appropriate recommendations,” he said.
