Dr. Kachallom Gang, the Plateau State Commissioner for Education, has said the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang has since his inauguration been providing an enabling environment for the successful management of educational activities in the State.
Dr. Gang was speaking while reeling out the Education Ministry’s achievement under the Governor Mutfwang s administration during the second edition of the Plateau State Ministerial briefing recently at the State Ministry of Information, JD Gomwalk State Secretariat in Jos.
According to Dr. Gang, some of the achievements are the pprovals and releases of funds to the tune of about 1.5 billion for accreditation of courses in Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State Polytechnic, B/Ladi, College of Agriculture, Garkawa and College of Education Gindiri.
She said achievements attracted the approval for the commencement of 19 Degree Programmes in the College of Education, Gindiri, by the National University Commission.
The Education Commissioner noted that the Governor also gave approval and release of funds for the full implementation of the University Salary Structure for the staff of PLASU and also the construction of 150 capacity state of the art conference centre in PLASU.
“Release of two (2) new vehicles and a tractor to enhance the smooth running of the institution and training of students of the newly established Faculty of Agriculture in PLASU, respectively.
“Construction of Green House with solar borehole at the College of Agriculture, Garkawa.
“The allocation of two (2) Tractors and One (1) Hiace Vehicle by Government to boost student’s practical in agricultural activities and for the smooth running of the school official functions in College of Agriculture, Garkawa.
“His Excellency funded the purchase of 48 room hostel facility within the premises of College of Education, Gindiri and his approval of the sum of one hundred million naira for the payment of compensation to houses and land owners within the surveyed areas of the college to provide for perimeter fencing of the College.”
Other aspects according to the Commissioner was the strengthening of governance across the six State owned Tertiary Institutions by the inauguration of Governing Councils of the Institutions.
She said the governor also gave approvals and payment of scholarship allowances to Law Students, French immersion students, undergraduate and post graduate students of tertiary institutions in the country and other specialized programmes to the tune of over 1 billion naira between 2023 and 2025.
“The payment of counterpart funds leading to the release of UBEC grants 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 leading to the construction and renovation of 148 classrooms and boreholes across the 17 LGAs. Additional contracts for the construction and renovation of 310 schools across the Local Governments have also been recently awarded.
“Settlement of all outstanding gratuity balance of retired civil servants of College of Health Technology, Zawan who were initially paid 30% despite having the gratuity fund domiciled in the colleges pension and gratuity account
Seamless facilitation of the takeover of Government Secondary School, Mangun by the Federal Government to become Federal Government Science and Technical College, Mangun.
“Settlement of outstanding school fees for Plateau State student at the National Mathematical Centre in the tune of N40,600,000:00 (Forty Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira only).
“Governments establishment of the Safe School Programme and the appointment of the State Coordinator who works in collaboration with relevant stakeholders like Ministry of Education, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) for the safety and security of students and liaising with the Nigerian Police for the setting of school security response/coordination centres.