In Nabdam District, Hon. Francis Tobig, the District Chief Executive (DCE), is spearheading an ambitious campaign to transform the face of education. An educationist by profession, Hon. Tobig’s passion is personal, after more than 20 years teaching at Kongo Senior High School, he knows firsthand the struggles of overcrowded classrooms, broken furniture, and the daily challenges teachers and students face.
During an exclusive interview on SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST with Apexnewsgh’s Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Hon. Tobig painted a vivid picture of both the hurdles and the hope now shaping education in Nabdam.
A Teacher’s Vision “I have lived it,” Hon. Tobig shared, reflecting on his years in the classroom. “That’s why I am committed to making a real difference.” His background gives him a unique perspective on what schools truly need, not just buildings, but environments where learning can thrive.
Building for the Future Under his leadership, the Assembly is rolling out a series of major infrastructure projects:
A new three-unit classroom block, complete with a Head Teacher’s office, storeroom, ICT laboratory, library, staff room, and an eight-seater KVIP toilet facility.
A fresh Junior High School at Damolgo, bringing education closer to more children.
At Nkuziesie, a two-unit KG block with office, store, five-seater KVIP, and gender-friendly urinals, plus a protective fence and shed.
Rehabilitation of classroom blocks at Nangodi Cluster of Schools and demolition of old KG blocks at Pelungu to improve safety and learning environments.
Upgrades to the ICT lab at Kongo, including burglar-proofing and painting.
Water for Learning Recognizing that good infrastructure means little without the basics, the Assembly is tackling water shortages. The Nabdam Education Directorate is being connected to a mechanized water system, and five new mechanized boreholes with overhead tanks are scheduled for institutions like Sakote Teachers’ Quarters and Kongo KG.
More Schools, More Access Procurement is underway for further projects, such as a primary school at St. John’s School in Sakote and an educational facility at Potin. Though a new ultra-modern chief’s palace has been completed at Nkuziesie, Hon. Tobig made clear this was separate from the education push.
Furniture: Filling the Gap, Fostering Care Furniture shortages have long plagued Nabdam’s schools. “It’s not just about providing desks,” the DCE emphasized, “but taking care of what we have.” This year, 1,000 pieces of furniture, 600 dual desks and 400 single desks, are being procured, with another 1,000 planned for 2026. But Hon. Tobig is equally focused on maintenance. After visiting a classroom full of broken furniture, he vowed to work with the Education Directorate to establish a robust maintenance system, so resources last longer and serve more students.
Raising the Bar: Academic Performance Despite these improvements, academic performance remains a concern. Hon. Tobig expressed disappointment that only one student reached an aggregate of 20 in the 2025 BECE, far from his ambitious target. “We must do better,” he said. He pledged continued engagement with schools and parents, challenging them to raise their expectations and outcomes.
A District on the Move Hon. Tobig’s leadership is turning vision into concrete action. From new classrooms and water systems to furniture and maintenance, Nabdam’s schools are changing for the better. As the DCE and his team press forward, the hope is clear: every child in Nabdam deserves a school that inspires learning, and a future filled with possibility
Source: Apexnewsgh.com