Gov. Mutfwang awards contracts for construction of 55 new model secondary schools, offers scholarships to students, among others
By Jude Dangwam, Jos
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has consistently affirmed his unwavering commitment to revamping the education sector in the state, with a strong emphasis on restoring public confidence in government-owned schools and prioritizing science and technology.
To align with this vision, the governor undertook familiarization visits to all state-owned higher education institutions, engaging with staff, students, and management to assess infrastructural and academic needs. Consequently, visitation panels were inaugurated to conduct comprehensive assessments and develop strategic recommendations for institutional reform.
In his first 100 days in office, the governor announced a landmark 50% tuition fee reduction for indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions, easing the burden exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies. This policy was effectively implemented through the Plateau State Scholarship Board.
The administration also pursued course accreditation across several tertiary institutions, including:
Plateau State University, Bokkos;
College of Health Technology, Pankshin; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa and College of Education, Gindiri.
Moreover, Mutfwang’s administration paid the IJMB examination fees for 2022–2024 at the College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Kurgwi, and settled Law School fees for indigenes for 2023–2025. Notably, scholarship funding has seen a significant 300% increase for Plateau students pursuing higher education nationwide.
To tackle the menace of illegal educational operations, the ministry has intensified a clampdown on unregistered private institutions. It has also established a clear framework and regulatory guidelines for the registration of private tertiary institutions within the state.
Through partnerships, including one with Liberty University, USA, the state has secured MSc and PhD engineering scholarships. The ministry has also addressed long-standing salary arrears of ad hoc staff—some dating back several months, thereby reducing the incidence of industrial actions.
Institutions such as the Colleges of Health Technology have cleared backlogs in student indexing, enabling students to proceed with final exams.
Following Mutfwang’s security assessment visit to Plateau State University, Bokkos, the government is planning partnerships with international universities to build the capacity of academic staff. Furthermore, the university is expanding with the ongoing establishment of a Faculty of Medicine.
During Mutfwang’s administration’s second anniversary, the governor disclosed further efforts being made by his administration to turn around the sector.
Mutfwang said: “Education is a cornerstone of our human capital development agenda. We slashed tuition fees by 50% for Plateau indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions which was actualized through the scholarship board.
“We increased scholarship funding by 300%. Plateau State University is gaining national recognition. The College of Education, Gindiri, now awards degrees, and student admission at the Plateau Polytechnic has surged from 3,000 to 8,000 and the completion of the administrative block. We have constructed and renovated 148 classrooms blocks and provided boreholes across the 17 LGAs, to create conducive environments for teaching and learning.”
He further said that SUBEB embarked on a transformative mission to elevate the quality of basic education in Plateau State.
With strategic direction from Mutfwang and prudent management of resources, SUBEB significantly advanced infrastructure and human capital development. Key achievements include the construction and renovation of 148 classrooms blocks and the provision of boreholes across all 17 LGAs, creating conducive environments for teaching and learning.
The Board has also prioritized safety and efficiency, erecting perimeter fencing for schools, constructing administrative offices, and providing motorcycles to improve school monitoring and supervision.
Recognizing the role of technology in modern education, SUBEB invested in digital capacity-building for education managers, EMIS officers, and data masters. Through the deployment of the BAMIS software and the distribution of iPads, laptops, and desktop computers, the Board is equipping educators to thrive in a digitalized educational environment.
Teacher welfare remains central to SUBEB’s agenda. The Board has addressed salary arrears and facilitated professional development programs. Partnerships with some organizations have enhanced infrastructure, provided instructional materials, and offered training in climate change and other contemporary issues.
These combined efforts reflect the state’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality, inclusive, and accessible basic education for all.
Last week, Mutfwang awarded contracts for the construction of 55 new secondary schools across the state. 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.
During the event, Mutfwang emphasized that the new schools must adhere to international standards and serve as models for future educational developments.
He said: “This 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 our students.”
The governor stressed that these projects are designed to empower the girl child, acknowledging that educating women leads to far-reaching benefits for society as a whole. In a symbolic presentation of award letters to contractors, Mutfwang issued a firm directive: “Let me warn you ahead of time, you must do a good job. 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.”
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.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mohammed Nyalun, expressed gratitude to the World Bank, the Federal Government, and Gov. Mutfwang for their roles in making the project a reality. He highlighted that this initiative is a crucial step towards ensuring every child in Plateau State has access to education in a conducive learning environment.
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.
According to Dr. Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to Mutfwang, “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.”
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