Taraba Governor Orders Closure of Science School Jalingo

By Jethro Yerga.

The Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas has ordered for immediate and indefinite closure of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Jalingo.

The Governor who gave the order on Wednesday this week during an unscheduled visit to the School said the dilapidated condition of the School is not conducive for teaching and learning.

He promised to rehabilitate the infrastructure of the school and provide necessary facilities befitting a science school before it would be reopened

Dr Agbu urged the staff and students of the institution to remain calm as all the necessary things would be done to put the school in good shape before they resume activities at the school.

The Government Science Secondary School Jalingo, is an offshoot of Macbride Secondary School, the oldest College in Jalingo and in the entire Old Muri Emirate Council, a Missionary College, established in 1969 which was changed to Government Secondary School after the Government took over the institution in 1975 and in 1983, it was converted to a science school.

Unfortunately, the school was relocated to its present site at TC Quarters, Jalingo by the then State Government during the Military era and the old site which has all the facilities was handed over to the Federal Government for the Federal Government Girls’ College, Jalingo.

Old Boys of the school whose members have been in most of the Governments since the creation of Taraba State several times raised their voices against the relocation of the school and even complained to the Federal Government for the return of their Alma Mata but until now there is no positive response.

National President Jalingo Old Boys Association (JOBA), Dr. Hilkiya Bubajoda Mafindi said the action of the Governor was in the right direction.

Dr. Mafindi stated that the school was in dire need of total rehabilitation, adding that the association over the years, rehabilitated some classes and provided furnitures for the school.

According to him, the old boys association was still collaborating with the School authority towards connecting the School to the National Grid which is one of the major challenges it is facing.

He urged the incumbent Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Alkali and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Jeji Williams who are also former students of the institution to lobby their Principal for the relocation of the School to its original site to maintain the status quo.

Mafindi further prayed that Governor Dr. Agbu should give adequate attention to the school which produced high leveled professionals in many fields to bring it back to its past glory, preferably, relocating it to its original location while FGGC Jalingo, should be given another place.