Citizens’ confidence in public school education in Plateau State had waned for decades due to factors like insecurity, incessant strike actions, poor quality of the workforce, and very low ranking in the national examination, among others.

It is generally believed that these challenges and others forced citizens who can afford it to enroll their wards in private instead of public schools.
Coming on board in the last year, the State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has taken steps to rekindle citizens’ confidence in public schools hence he began the process of raising the quality of education across all tiers of institutions with emphasis on science and technology.
Within the period, there has been intervention in 170 schools across the 17 local government areas for the renovation of 682 classrooms, provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH facilities through drilling boreholes and construction of toilets, and provision of ICT equipment and school furniture.

Mohammed Nyalun, the Commissioner of Secondary Education disclosed the Governor has paid “The backlog of school fees for six years amounting to N40,600,000.00 for Plateau indigenes schooling at National Mathematical Centre, Abuja and restored the suspended employment of 989 Teaching and 200 non-teaching staff to fill existing shortages in manpower in the public schools.”
To improve tertiary education too, the Governor provided for the accreditation of expired programmes across the State-owned tertiary institutions.
In March 2024, a 69-man National Board for Technical Education, NBTE team visited the State Polytechnic at Barkin Ladi to accredit 31 OND/HND programmes and verify some institutional administration.

The Acting Rector of the Institution, Dr. Clement Chirman commended the Governor for his interest in repositioning the education sector and noted “This is to ensure that the students have the assurance of receiving a quality education that will make them relevant in providing skills and expertise to society upon graduation.
“The accreditation exercise was possible by Governor Mutfwang’s strong passion for Polytechnic education which he demonstrated by providing the needed funds to meet with the required standard of the NBTE.”

Similarly, the Acting Provost of the College of Education, Gindiri, Asso. Professor Lazarus Maigoro added, “We had the accreditation exercise last month. The accreditation status of the institution had expired for the second year running.
“The Regulatory Body, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE was threatening sanctions so I rushed to the Governor and he directed us to commence the process for the accreditation exercise which he funded fully.”

The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Kachollom Gang maintained commendable efforts are ongoing in all State-owned tertiary institutions.
These include Plateau State University, Bokkos; Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi; College of Education, Gindiri; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa; College of Arts, Science and Technology, Kurgwi; College of Health Technology, Zawan, and College of Health Technology, Pankshin.
She noted, “There has been a reduction of 50% in tuition fees to Plateau indigenes in State-owned Tertiary Institutions as palliative to reduce the effect of the economic hardship caused by the oil subsidy removal.
“Course programmes have recently been accredited in the Plateau State University, Bokkos; College of Health Technology, Pankshin; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa; College of Education, Gindiri; Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi.
“There has been the payment for 2022, 2023, and 2024 IJMB Examinations for College of Arts, Science and Technology, Kurgwi; settlement of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Law School Students Fees for Plateau State indigenes.
“The scholarship for our students studying in higher institutions within the country has been reviewed by 300%. Through the intervention of the Governor, the State is discussing with some institutions abroad for capacity building in critical areas through the award of scholarships.
“The outstanding 44 months salaries of ad hoc staff in the tertiary institutions have been paid. The Colleges of Health Technology have succeeded in commencing the process of indexing the backlog of students who have been unable to write their final examinations.”
Joyous citizens commend the significant steps in the education sector and are hopeful that such would return the State to its pride of place in the nation’s educational feats.

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How Gov. Mutfwang is Giving Education a Lifeline in Plateau State