STEP-B disburses N2.6bn
for 56 science projects
THE
Science and Technology Education Post Basic Project (STEP-B) has
disbursed about 2.6 billion Naira (22 million dollars) for the
implementation of 56 projects in the country.
Professor Michael Adikwu, National Co-ordinator of the Project, made
this known at a new Conference yesterday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the amount was disbursed
from the 180 million dollars provided by the World Bank for the
promotion of Science and Technology education at “post basic
education level” in the country.
Adikwu said that the money was disbursed after the 56 projects were
approved by the minister of education and the World Bank office in
the country.
He said that projects approved under the first phase of STEP-B
included science laboratories and computer centres, agriculture,
micro-biology and solar energy.
The Co-ordinator pointed out that more projects — worth about 50
million dollars — would be approved for implementation before the
end of the year under the second phase of the programme.
Adikwu also said that 81 million dollars had been set aside for
quality alignment in teaching and research, to meet national needs.
According to him, 54 million dollars is also set aside as support
for the emergence of centres of excellence in the country for the
promotion of science and technology research.
“These centres will emerge over time to attract world renowned
researchers in various disciplines, in the drive to improve our
rating in the world,” he said.
He said that 27 million dollars had been earmarked as support for
strategic planning in the effort to boost science and technology
education through capacity building in universities, Polytechnics
and Colleges of education.
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