The Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) has launched the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP), introducing 30 mobile laboratories and virtual reality (VR) cameras to enhance student learning, foster competition, and promote excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA) subjects.
Speaking at the launch at General Murtala Muhammed College, Yola, Hajiya Saadatu Ahmed Shehu, Chairperson of the ASSEP Project Implementation Team, said that the initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, aims to bridge gaps in secondary education across the Northeast.
She noted that VR cameras will be integrated across different subjects, offering immersive learning experiences and realistic simulations to improve knowledge retention.
“The ASSEP program is built on four key pillars: Teacher Capacity Building, Student Engagement and Support, Provision of Educational Resources, and Skills Development. These subjects are catalysts for industrialisation and will drive future development in the region,” Shehu stated.
READ ALSO: NEDC seeks support to address insecurity in North-East
She also noted that ASSEP is the first initiative in sub-Saharan Africa to introduce VR technology in education, providing students with experiential training and risk-free practical learning.
Furthermore, the programme includes teacher training up to Black Belt certification and scholarships for students who excel academically and meet university admission requirements.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hajiya Aisha Umar, commended NEDC for the initiative, describing it as a game-changer for the region’s education system. She urged teachers to maximise the training received and pass on the knowledge to students, ensuring a sustainable impact.
With ASSEP, the NEDC is positioning the Northeast as a hub for educational transformation, equipping students with cutting-edge learning tools to shape the region’s future leaders.
