Some stakeholders in education sector in Anambra state have canvassed for vocational mentorship of girls-child with a view to enabling them discover and utilise their talents to impact the society positively.
The scholars who spoke at one-day sensitisation programme held at St. John of God Secondary School, Awka, on Monday in commemoration of the International girl- child day, argued that girls-child were cornerstone of development, but they needed to be mentored, motivated and empowered to positively achieve that.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Mercy Anagbogu, the state coordinator of Civil Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), explained that the international girls-child day is to be celebrated all over the world on 11th October but they chose to organise it ahead of time due to some circumstances.
According to Anagbogu, the team for the 2020 edition of the event was “girls force unscripted and unstoppable,” a testament that girls-child were cornerstone for development, creativity, innovation and transformational changes.
She charged parents, schools, society and government at all level to stand up to their responsibility of empowering the young female children through vocational mentoring for increased development of their talent and skills “ leading to strong voice for effective participation in the world business.”
“These stakeholders should employ personal contact and other media of communication to increase sensitisation awareness for the girl-child to believe in themselves, develop interest and build themselves to be useful in life. We commend governor Willie Obiano, commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, Academics and Counselling Desk Officer of Anambra state universal basic education (ASUBEB) and others for their support,” she said.
Delivering a paper, Mrs. Rachael Yohana, posited that girls-child have key roles to play for overcoming transformational crises on learning skills.
On her part, the principal, St. John of God Secondary School, Lady Anthonia Nwanekie extolled CSACEFA Anambra State for identifying her school for such program and pledged to continue lending her support in ensuring that adequate facilities are provided for effective vocational mentoring in her school.
Mrs. Nwabueze Grace, the Academic and counselling Desk officer ASUBEB promised the young girls of St. John that the school will be a platform for Vocational Mentoring where others will come to learn.
Contributing, Dr. Udeze Nkechi, Director Anambra State Library Board called for establishment of vocational mentoring in schools as it would go a long way to help rescue girl-child from destruction.
According to her, after graduation from secondary schools, most girls get swayed away through unacceptable behavior. She further admonished the girls to imbibe core values and work hard to be the best of themselves in the near future.
