A total of 25 students from Science Secondary School 2, Gombe, have scored 200 and above in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), thanks to a targeted academic support programme executed in partnership with Pen Resources Academy under the Student-Work-Study Programme (SWSP).
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Maigari, announced the feat during an award ceremony on Wednesday in honour of the high-performing students. The event, held at the school premises, highlighted the success of a strategic academic mentoring initiative designed to boost performance in science subjects among final-year students.
According to Professor Maigari, the collaboration involved assigning student-teachers from Pen Resources Academy to coach SS3 students in core science subjects, using modern teaching techniques and personalised mentorship. “This initiative was carefully designed to address gaps in learning and provide direct academic support. The results we are witnessing today validate that vision,” she stated.
She further revealed that over 600 students across various public schools in Gombe have now met university admission benchmarks due to similar interventions, and lauded Pen Resources Academy for contributing immensely to public education development in the state.
Dr. Sani Jauro, Proprietor of Pen Resources Academy, described the experience as deeply rewarding, stressing that the goal was to help build a stronger educational foundation for public schools. “When the Ministry of Education reached out, we saw it as a responsibility to contribute to our community through knowledge-sharing,” Dr. Jauro said.
He acknowledged the collaborative spirit that defined the partnership, adding, “Education is a two-way street. As we guided these students, we also learned about the realities of public schooling. It helped us refine our approach.” He encouraged other private institutions to offer similar support, noting that one of the persistent challenges in public schools remains large student populations.
However, Dr. Jauro praised Science Secondary School 2 for maintaining a favourable student-teacher ratio, which he said played a critical role in the successful implementation of the SWSP. “Mentorship like this only works when the environment is conducive. This school has that advantage,” he added.
The 2025 JAMB results, he disclosed, showed a significant improvement over previous years. “Out of the candidates coached under this programme, 25 students scored 200 and above—a leap we had only dreamed of before,” he said.
Parents and guardians in attendance also hailed the programme, urging the state government to expand it to more schools. Many attributed the academic improvements not only to extra coaching but also to the motivation students received from being exposed to a structured academic environment.
One parent, Mrs. Fatima Garba, whose son scored 250, said, “This programme gave my child the push he needed. Before now, he wasn’t confident about JAMB. But now, he is among the top scorers.”
The high point of the event was the presentation of gifts and cash awards by the Commissioner for Education. The highest scorer, a male student who scored 288, received N50,000. The second and third positions, with 250 and 248 marks respectively, were each awarded N20,000, while other students received N5,000 each as encouragement.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), which covered the event, noted that the atmosphere was one of pride and renewed commitment to public education. Professor Maigari concluded the ceremony with an appeal to stakeholders: “Let’s continue working together. With the right support and mentorship, our public schools can outperform expectations.”
