BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU
THE Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, has hailed the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) as a significant catalyst for educational reform in the region.
Mrs Ezewu, represented by Deputy Director (Schools), Mrs Justina Ishaka, emphasized the transformative impact STEP has had on the education system in Delta and Edo States, during the flag-off of the 5th edition of the programme in Benin, Edo State on Thursday.
Since its inception in 2020, STEP has trained 1,373 individuals, including 1,264 secondary school teachers and 109 Chief Inspectors of Education, equipping them with essential skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The initiative, led by Seplat Energy in collaboration with NNPC Exploration and Production Limited, aims to enhance the quality of education within its host communities.
Seplat Energy’s Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe, highlighted the programme’s achievements and the company’s commitment to educational advancement. She noted that this year’s programme would involve 381 participants, comprising 359 teachers and 22 Chief Inspectors of Education from Edo and Delta States.
Afe explained that STEP was developed after a thorough assessment of the host communities’ needs, which identified education as a top priority.
“Through STEP, we are creating a comprehensive educational ecosystem—impacting teachers, students, school infrastructure, and even the ministries of education. This approach ensures that our investment in education will yield long-lasting benefits for the entire community,” Afe said.
The continued investment in STEP by the NEPL/Seplat JV underscores its dedication to fostering creativity, innovation, and quality education within the classrooms of Delta and Edo States, making it a cornerstone of the region’s educational reform efforts.
