The Bayelsa Government says it has concluded plans to upgrade the state’s College of Arts and Science (BYCAS) for it to be able to award Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr Adikumo Salo, made the disclosure at the college site at Elebele in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

Salo also announced that students of the Isaac Jasper Boro (IJB) College of Education at Sagbama were expected to commence lectures at the end of February.

“The state governor, Seriake Dickson, decided on re-opening the BYCAS which was closed down by the past administration because of his desire in building human capacity,’’ he said, while conducting newsmen round projects embarked upon by the government.

The project tour was part of activities lined up to commemorate Governor Dickson’s one year in office on February 14.

At Sagbama, the headquarters of Sagbama Local Government Area, the commissioner inspected the classroom block and ICT buildings as well as concrete roads and car park of the College of Education.

Salo said the institution, which had already registered 701 students, would commence its academic session at the end of February 2013.

The commissioner also explained that the state government had acquired hostel accommodation for the students at three different locations in Sagbama town to enhance the smooth take-off of the institution.

He said the institution’s relocation from Okpoama by the present administration saved it from being scrapped as a result of lack of space and facilities.

While speaking on infrastructure for primary schools, the commissioner said the state government was currently involved in massive reconstruction, renovation and building of new classrooms.

He said government was also building two-bedroom flat residential accommodation for headmasters.

The commissioner also said government was currently constructing model secondary schools with boarding facilities across the state for students, so as to enhance teaching and learning conditions.

He said a six-classroom Teachers Training Institute had been renovated for the training and re-training of teachers in the state.

Salo said Gov. Dickson would before the end of February formally inaugurate the distribution of free school uniforms, sandals, textbooks and exercise books which are currently stored at the state library.

Also speaking, the institution’s provost, Prof. Saviour Agoro, said: “We already have the staff to work with. We have so far registered 701 students in 33 departments.”