Gombe State Government Intensifies Efforts in Education Sector with Mega School Rehabilitation
By Matthew Eloyi
In a groundbreaking development for the education sector in Gombe State, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Dijatu Bappah, announced significant strides in the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of five mega schools during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting on Friday.
According to Dr Bappah, the mega school initiative, a pet project of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing education. The approved schools for rehabilitation are Government Secondary School Dukku, Government Secondary School (Lakanje) Kaltungo, Government Comprehensive Secondary School Dadin-Kowa, Government Girls’ College Doma, and Government Science Secondary School Gombe.
The Commissioner noted that Governor Yahaya, in his determination to transform the education landscape, initiated a task force during the previous administration to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of these schools. Subsequently, after the dissolution of the last Executive Council, a new task force was inaugurated in September to continue the infrastructural works.
Highlighting the unique needs of each school, Dr. Bappah emphasized that the rehabilitation was not a one-size-fits-all approach. She cited examples such as the reopening of Government Secondary School Doma, which had been closed for over a decade, and the various improvements in infrastructure witnessed across the selected institutions.
The Commissioner detailed the specific upgrades seen in these schools, ranging from road networks, solar boreholes, and clinic expansions to hostel renovations, construction of toilets, and the installation of solar systems and street lights.
“We expect this work to conclude by the year 2024, making these schools fully functional mega schools by the 2024 academic year,” stated Dr. Bappah. She emphasized that this ambitious project was unprecedented in Nigeria and had drawn attention as an exemplary model for others to follow.
With an eye on the changing educational landscape, she mentioned the phasing out of the primary school certificate by the Federal Ministry of Education, with a shift towards collecting Junior School Certificate BECE exams. Dr Bappah stressed that the mega schools would play a crucial role in accommodating students transitioning from junior secondary schools.
The Commissioner also credited Governor Yahaya for his foresight in addressing challenges in the education system, noting a significant improvement in WAEC results. She noted that over 65% of Gombe State students are now achieving five credits and above, including Mathematics and English, paving the way for increased admissions into tertiary institutions.
According to her, the State Executive Council has not only approved continuous infrastructural development in Gombe but has also established a council committee comprising commissioners from the respective local governments where these schools are situated. This committee will provide monthly reports to Governor Yahaya, ensuring accountability and progress monitoring.
The mega school rehabilitation project, coupled with ongoing teacher training, capacity development, and recruitment initiatives, signals a comprehensive approach to revitalising the education sector in Gombe State.