Bayelsa State, located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, has witnessed significant transformations in various sectors. One area that has garnered attention is Education, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah.
Since assuming office, Dr. Emelah has spearheaded an educational revolution that aims to improve the quality of education, increase access, and enhance the overall learning experience for students in the state.
Some notable initiatives and achievements under Dr. Emelah’s leadership include:
~ The BayelsaPRIME Promoting Reform to Improve and Modernise Education program. This is a comprehensive education reform initiative aimed at delivering dramatic improvements in learning outcomes in public schools in the state.
The BayelsaPRIME program has started to yield positive results, with parents commending the state government for the reforms. The program has improved learning outcomes, increased access to quality education, and enhanced the overall learning experience for students. Over 84,181 pupils will benefit from the program, which aims to Improve learning outcomes and close the learning gap.
The program will provide high-quality basic education that leads to accelerated and continuous improvement and enhance the professionalism of teachers through training and coaching.
~ Teacher Training and Capacity Building: The Hon. Commissioner has prioritized the need for Teachers to be trained and retrained, recognizing that educators are crucial to the success of any educational system. The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education has consistently organized Training programs to equip teachers with modern teaching methods and technologies. Championed by the Teacher Training Registration and Certification Board.
~ Infrastructure Development: Dr. Emelah has overseen the construction of new Schools Structures as well as renovation of dilapidated ones. Just recently , His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri Executive Governor of Bayelsa State Commissioned Six (6) New Secondary Schools across Yenagoa metropolis a clear testament that educational development is core in this administration. These improvements have created a conducive learning environment, enabling students to focus on their academic pursuits.
~ Community Engagement: Dr. Emelah has fostered partnerships with local communities, recognizing their critical role in supporting education as well as protecting educational facilities in their domains. To this end, Government is already concluding the engagement of natives to man various schools to improve existing security architecture.
~ Technical Education: As a means of addressing unemployment in the State, the Prosperity Government led by Sen. Douye Diri made as a “policy thrust” the need to place less emphasis on paper qualification and to emphasize more on skill, craftsmanship and entrepreneurship in order to churn out job creators and not job seekers who will in turn boost the local economy of the state through small and medium enterprises (SME’s).
To that effect, government cited One Technical College each in all the 8 local governments of the state.
Today, the Government Science Technical College Swali have been fully rehabilitated and upgraded, equipped to provide standard qualitative Technical Education as currently, high level teaching and learning is now taking place at the once moribund environment.
Others are, Sampou Technical School, Ofoni Technical School which were commissioned by His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri during the electioneering campaigns and is now functioning to optimum capacity.
In 2021, Bayelsa State Government presented starter packs to graduands of Technical Colleges across the State to equip them to become self reliant as well as encourage others desiring technical education.
~ Tertiary Education: As a result of the heavy investment in the accreditation of courses in all State owned Higer Institutions, it is on record that the former Vice Chancellor, Niger Delta University Prof Samuel E. Gowon of blessed memory on the 25th of August 2021, presented the accreditation report of Niger Delta University to His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri as all 71 courses in NDU have been fully accredited.
Other Institutions with Accreditation successes are;
• Accreditation of programs of School of Nursing & Midwifery and upgrade to a College Status.
• Accreditation of Programs at the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology Otuogidi.
• Accreditation of Programs at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality IITH and approval of Institution by Jamb.
• Accreditation of Ten (10) Programs of the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU).
• Accreditation of Ten (10) programs of Isaac Jasper College of Education Sagbama and it’s affiliation to the State owned Niger Delta University.
• Accreditation of programs of University of Africa Toru-orua as her pioneer students are currently serving their fatherland through the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) a major proof of the accredited status of the University.
Bayelsa State Government through the Student Management Committee on the 26th June 2023 hosted the first Ever Bayelsa Students Summit to upscale Bayelsa Students on entrepreneurship and self development.
To address the mobility challenge faced by Student Union Bodies, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri graciously approved Vehicles which was donated to the various bodies across the various Higher Institutions In the State namely;
• National Union of Bayelsa Students (NUBSS)
• National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B
• National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council (NANS JCC)
• National Union of Izon- Ibe Students (NUIS)
• Student Union Government (SUG) Niger Delta University
• Bayelsa State Student Management Committee (SMC)
And just recently another vehicle was donated to the Federal University Otuoke Student Union Government (SUG) body at her 2023 Cultural Day Exhibition.
Not left out of the mobility intervention is the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology Otuogidi BYCOTECH as a Coaster Bus was presented to the institution to aide mobility.
Dr. Gentle Emelah’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming the education landscape in Bayelsa State. Through visionary policies, community engagement, and a commitment to excellence, the Commissioner has set the stage for a brighter future for the state’s students. As the educational revolution continues to unfold, one can only anticipate further progress and achievements.
~ To be continued.
