From Christiana Gokyo Jos
The Plateau State Government has awarded contracts for the construction of 55 new secondary schools across the state.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of the state said the project, under the Plateau State Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), funded by the World Bank, is a crucial investment in improving the learning environment for secondary students.
The contract signing ceremony, held at the Twin Theatre, New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, marked a significant step in the governor’s commitment to transforming the state’s educational infrastructure.
He added that the projects are designed to empower the girl child, acknowledging that educating women leads to far-reaching benefits for society as a whole.
Governor Mutfwang also issued a firm directive of warning, saying, “You ahead of time, you must do a good job, and we will ensure that these projects meet the highest standards.
“Our supervisory mechanisms will be top-notch because we want to set a precedent with this initiative. When the World Bank team comes for evaluation, we must not be found wanting,” he stated.
He emphasized that the new schools must adhere to international standards and serve as models for future educational developments.
The governor further emphasized that the funds allocated for these projects are not free grants, urging contractors to strictly adhere to the specified building standards and timelines.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mohammed Nyalun, expressed gratitude to the World Bank, the Federal Government, and Governor Mutfwang for their roles in making the project a reality.
He highlighted that this initiative is a crucial step towards ensuring every child in the state has access to education in a conducive learning environment.
The Project Coordinator for the AGILE Plateau State project, Shirinkpo Maina, provided an overview of the initiative, noting that these facilities lay the groundwork for inclusive, quality education accessible to every child, regardless of background.
“The Plateau State Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, involves the construction of 35 Junior Secondary Schools and 20 Senior Secondary Schools, all aimed at enhancing educational opportunities across the state.
“This is part of the move to overhaul the education sector and enhance the learning environment for students in Plateau State,” Maina stated.
