The laudable Korea model school project

It was a thing of delight to witness the recent handover and commissioning of the Nigeria-Korean Model Primary & Junior Secondary School, Piwoyi, Abuja, a counterpart project between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
What is even more astonishing is the time frame within which this ultra-modern school project was accomplished because one could recall that the project was yet to take off as at November 2015 when the current FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, was appointed.
But the minister, realising the critical role of education in the fortunes of this nation, quickly harnessed the needed resources to meet up the FCTA’s counterpart obligations which included provision of land and basic infrastructure like access road, electricity and water.
The administration together with KOICA pooled the needed resources to make this dream a reality.
The success of this project represents one of the fruits of the commitment of the FCTA to prudent management of resources and completion of projects with the greatest impact on the FCT residents.
This is one of the few projects that its groundbreaking ceremony was performed and completed within two years.
Notwithstanding various logistics and funding challenges, the Administration largely met the set target with the school now set to open its doors to pupils next academic year beginning from September this year.
From what has been gathered, the school which is located along the airport road is the first purpose built primary and secondary that is designed to showcase the new face of primary and secondary education in the FCT.
The main objectives for the school include; granting access to quality education for children of nearby grassroots communities, provision of child-friendly learning environment and boosting the capacity of teachers among others.
Indeed, through the facilitation of the project, KOICA has trained over 75 local staff of the school as well as 150 teachers selected from various public schools in the FCT on computer-based instruction delivery.
Another exciting feature of the Nigerian/Korea Model School is that it is a Nigerian public basic education institution meaning that no school fees would be paid by its students is the case with the basic education policy.
Students will be admitted from Primary 1 – 3 and JSS 1 and buses will be provided to pick up the children from designated points.
There will be basic numeracy and literary tests for students seeking admission and the curriculum will be 100 percent Nigerian.
The school has also been designed specifically to cater for the physically challenged.
In fact, the construction of the school buildings was done to have ramps for wheel chairs and the visually impaired can also navigate the school premises with minimal assistance.
Special kudos must go to the Government and people of Korea for this unique investment in the people of Nigeria.
This gesture is further cementing the already existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea.
It is really gladdening that the KOICA chose FCT as location for this school and have worked to justify their goodwill, leaving the door open for more schools and projects in other areas of need.
The FCT Administration must also be commended for rising to the challenge and making sure that the vision for this unique institution is realized because the critical role of education in national development cannot be over emphasized.
Education is the only path to prosperity and national development and the tool against poverty and ignorance.
Any keen observer in the FCT would also have noticed other milestones that this administration has registered in the field of education, transportation and infrastructural development.
These include the payment of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Counterpart Funding after years of default, the Abuja Light Rail Project and road infrastructure.
Danladi Akilu, Durumi II, Gudu District, Abuja

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