By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has distributed 126 mobile science kits to rural schools to boost the study of science subjects in secondary schools.
State Governor Agbu Kefas, represented by Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali, said that the distribution aligned with the administration’s policy of providing free and quality education for all children in the state.
Kefas noted that “technology has become an integral part of daily life, transforming our ways of communication and transportation. The evolution of Artificial Intelligence and robotics is a direct outcome of science and technology, and these are bringing unprecedented changes in our workplaces.
“We set a new goal to move the state forward on assumption of office. Education is one of our top priorities, and this distribution of science kits is in line with this dream. The importance of science and technology in our daily lives cannot be overemphasised. We believe that by developing science and technology, our economy will receive the necessary boost and our agricultural sector will equally be revolutionised.
“I urge all the principals and teachers to ensure that these kits are judiciously used to improve the teaching and learning of science courses in your schools.”
Muslim Abdullahi, Commissioner for Science and Technology in the state, who initiated and executed the project, said that the ministry is poised to transform the teaching and learning of science subjects in schools across the state to position students in the state to compete favourably with their contemporaries in other parts of the world.
“The science kits are to be handled with care, and the teachers should make the best use of them so that this huge investment will not be in vain. You are aware that this administration is determined to ensure that children in the state receive free education in the most conducive environment.
“Let me disclose to you that arrangements are concluded to build functional laboratories in all science and technical schools to ensure a practical understanding of science subjects. We are also partnering with the state university to enhance the teaching and learning experience of students,” Abdullahi said.
The Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Bako, described the project as laudable and urged the benefitting schools to handle the kits with great care, as the initiative is unprecedented in the state.
According to Bako, “This is a laudable project and shows that the governor is determined to provide free and quality education in the state. As an institution, we are working in collaboration with the ministry to ensure that quality education goes beyond primary and secondary schools.”
Our correspondent reports that the kits were handed to principals in schools across Jalingo, Zing, Wukari, Gassol, Lau, and Sardauna local government areas of the state.