By Khalid Idris Doya
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has engaged education stakeholders in Bauchi State to strengthen the implementation of the Accelerated Senior Secondary School Education Programme (ASSEP), an initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and producing educated, skilled, empowered and self-reliant youths across the state.
Speaking at the stakeholders' engagement held on Thursday in Bauchi with the theme, "From Engagement to Impact: Strengthening Academic Skills and Enhancement for Teachers and Students in the North-East Region," the NEDC's General Manager, Relief and Remediation, Dr. Batulu Isa Muhammed, said the programme reflects the Commission's commitment to education and human capital development in the North-East and Nigeria as a whole.
She explained that ASSEP was launched in 2024 by the NEDC in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, with the vision of transforming lives through quality education and skills acquisition.
According to her, the programme has continued to attract national recognition, with other regional development commissions showing interest in adopting the model.
"Today, we are proud that the programme has attracted the interest of stakeholders across the country. Other development commissions are not only coming on board but are also learning from our model and seeking to replicate the successes we have recorded," she said.
Dr. Muhammed encouraged students to maximise the opportunities provided through the programme, noting that they have greater access to modern learning facilities, technology, ICT and information than previous generations.
"I always tell students that they can do better than we did because they have more opportunities than we ever had. With the support available today, we believe you can achieve even greater success," she said.
She stressed that the Commission's primary mandate is to promote sustainable development through people-centred interventions, with human capital development remaining one of its key prioritise.
According to her, ASSEP comprises two major components including academic support and skills enhancements.
She explained that the academic support component is designed to improve students' learning outcomes by promoting discipline, critical thinking and healthy academic competition, while the skills enhancement component equips beneficiaries with practical vocational skills, including ICT, tailoring, solar installation, fish farming, poultry farming, food processing and other trades.
She added that participants also receive starter packs where applicable to enable them to become self-employed and financially independent.
"Our goal is not only to educate students academically but also to empower them with practical skills that will enable them to create jobs, support their families and contribute meaningfully to economic development," she said.
Dr. Muhammed noted that the programme also promotes community ownership by working closely with education stakeholders and local communities to ensure transparency, accountability and sustainability.
She disclosed that since its launch in 2024, ASSEP has expanded significantly, with several times more beneficiaries now participating than in the first phase, demonstrating growing public confidence in the initiative.
Earlier, the Bauchi State ASSEP Focal Person, Hajiya Ladi Muhammad Hamma, commended the NEDC for its sustained commitment to revitalising education across the North-East through strategic interventions.
She said the Commission's investment in strengthening teaching and learning continues to improve educational outcomes and build a more resilient education system.
According to her, the true success of ASSEP will be measured through improved teaching practices, better learner performance, stronger school leadership and sustainable educational development.
"ASSEP was established with a clear vision of enhancing teachers' professional competencies while equipping students with the academic, critical thinking, problem-solving and life skills needed to succeed in an ever-evolving world," she said.
She emphasised that achieving the programme's objectives requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, school administrators, teachers, communities and development partners.
Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said ASSEP seeks to improve post-primary education across the North-East by increasing enrolment into tertiary institutions, promoting skills development and enhancing teacher quality.
He urged stakeholders to take ownership of government programmes aimed at improving education and public development, stressing that their success depends on collective responsibility.
The commissioner also expressed concern over the vandalisation of educational fertilities by some individuals, describing the act as detrimental to the state's efforts to improve learning outcomes.
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