In recognition of the importance of basic education for rapid development, Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Barr. Obiageri Oko-Enyim, has organised an education summit to seek experts’ opinion on measures to adopt in improving the standard of education in the LGA and saving the school system from imminent collapse.
According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Nkama, speaking during the summit held at the council headquarters, Oko-Enyim said that the flag-off exercise signals the beginning of a new era for the education sector in the LGA.
She described education as a veritable tool for societal development, explaining that the summit became necessary as it provided opportunity for critical stakeholders in the education sector (both from the public and private sectors) to come together to discuss challenges facing the sector and evolve workable solutions to address them.
She applauded the state governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, for his giant strides in the education sector and his passionate commitment to improving the standard of education in the state, adding that education especially primary school education must be given its rightful place as the foundation of learning, which if gotten wrong would jeopardize all efforts at secondary and tertiary education education levels.”
She assured teachers that her administration will continue to prioritize their welfare to enhance productivity while adequate attention will be given to dilapidated structures to create a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
Earlier in a remark, the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government & Coordinating Commissioner, Dr. Kenneth Ugballa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Dr. Augustine Nwuzor, noted that the summit as directed by the state governor, is meant to collate views and recommendations from stakeholders that will guide government refocus the sector.
In their remarks, the Deputy Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogbonnia Ikoro, the Chairman of Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB); High Chief Hyacinth Ekuma Ikpor, the Director General of Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), Engr. Timothy Nwachi and the traditional ruler of Ohaisu Autonomous Community, HRH Ezeogo Ewa Elechi, called for collaboration between stakeholders and government so as to bring sanity and standard to the education sector.
Adding their voices, some of the principals, head teachers and parents expressed concern over the dilapidated classrooms in some schools, lack of educational facilities, lack of teachers, incessant encroachment on school land, lack of functional library and laboratories, among others, noting that if these identified challenges could be addressed, there would be a radical improvement in the school system.
In their contributions the resource persons, including Professor Amari Omaka, Chief Ewa Otu Eleri, Chief Dave Nwachukwu and Dr. Mark Abani, commended the state government for their continued efforts towards repositioning the education sector to serve its strategic role of driving socio-economic developmet, but noted that much would not be achieved without synergy among government agencies saddled with the responsibility of managing basic education and the strong support of relevant stakeholders.
They highlighted the appropriate modalities to adopt in ensuring quality education at the basic level, which, according to them, will lay the needed solid foundation for sound and functional education for sustainable development in the state.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Chief Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali, Ag. CSP, Mrs. Chinedu Idege, Ag. Education Secretary, Mrs. Ijeoma Cecilia Ogbonnia, State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Egwu Francis Elechi, NUT Chairman, Afikpo North LGA, Comrade Cecilia Oko Nnachi, principals of senior secondary schools, all principals of junior secondary schools, all head teachers of primary schools, traditional rulers; community leaders, development centre co-ordinators, councillors, supervisors, members of PTA and old students association.
The education summit, which is the first of its kind in the history of Afikpo North Local Government, was held in collaboration with Afikpo Education Support Group and ended with a resolution by key players to synergize to save the school system from imminent collapse.
