Fresh facts have emerged that over 13,000 Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students across four northeastern states participate in a quiz assessment under the Academic Science and STEM Education Programme (ASSEP).
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Office of the Vice-President, Dr. Mariam Masha, revealed this in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday. The programme, which started on Tuesday, November 19, ended yesterday, Thursday, November 21, 2024. The initiative aims to enhance STEM education and exam readiness in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe states.
She explained that ASSEP is a critical component of the Federal Government’s efforts, through the North East Development Commission (NEDC), to enhance education outcomes in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the statement, “During ASSEP’s launch in Bauchi in May, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged North-East state governors to leverage the programme to bridge educational gaps and improve learning outcomes in the region.
“Students are testing their knowledge across seven critical subjects, which form the scope of assessment: English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, and Further Mathematics.
“This assessment is part of a broader federal government initiative led by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to strengthen educational outcomes in the region.
“Participation spanned four states, with Bauchi presenting 932 students, Borno 4,020 students from 10 schools, Gombe 5,002 students from 17 schools, and Yobe 3,341 students from eight schools. In total, 13,295 students from one senatorial district in each state participated in this phase of the programme.
“The ASSEP quiz assessment aims to promote academic excellence, encourage mastery of STEM subjects among students, foster healthy competition, and create a platform for students to showcase their skills in a supportive environment.”
She added that the programme is also structured to enhance exam preparation, equip students with practical experience to prepare for national examinations like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, and involve schools, educators, and local communities in driving positive educational outcomes.
“The reports from the participating states show that in Borno, schools such as GDSS Mafoni, Brigadier Maimalari DSS, and GGC Maiduguri are successfully conducting their assessments under strict supervision,” he said.
