By Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Government has conducted the Senior Secondary School One (SS1) Scholarship Entrance Examination for the 2026/2027 academic session into its Government Model Secondary Schools across the eight local government areas of the state.

The examination, which took place simultaneously in all the LGAs, including Ekeremor, is part of the government’s commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable education for children across Bayelsa.

Officials of the Ministry of Education said the initiative aligns with the state’s policy of investing in human capital development and creating opportunities for academically talented students to thrive in a conducive learning environment.

According to the ministry, the state government established 12 Model Secondary Schools strategically located across the eight local government areas to nurture students’ talents and help them achieve their full potential. The schools operate as boarding institutions designed to provide a focused atmosphere for teaching and learning.

The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) finances the boarding programme, including feeding, provision of water and electricity, science laboratory equipment, textbooks, notebooks, ICT facilities, and school uniforms for students.

In addition, the trust fund supports regular training and retraining programmes for teachers, minders, and other personnel to ensure the sustainability of the initiative and maintain high educational standards.

Education officials noted that the scholarship examination was conducted under strict guidelines to guarantee fairness, transparency, and credibility. They explained that answer scripts were marked immediately after collection as part of measures aimed at ensuring accountability in the selection process.

Stakeholders who monitored the exercise commended the state government’s investment in education, describing the Model Schools programme as a strategic intervention that will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to compete favourably at national and global levels.

They also noted that the initiative significantly reduces the financial burden on parents while providing beneficiaries with access to quality education and modern learning facilities.

Successful candidates from the entrance examination will secure admission into the Model Secondary Schools, where they will commence their SS1 studies under the state’s fully funded boarding education programme for the 2026/2027 academic session.