In line with the educational advancement thrust of the ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has restated his administration’s resolve to up the ante in the quality of education by providing conducive learning environment for both the teachers and students in the state.
Governor Eno made the commitment while addressing critical stakeholders in the education sector when he joined teachers and students in the celebration of this year’s Children Day tagged “Enhancing the Total Well Being of the Nigerian Child through Quality Education and Skills Development,” at the Uyo Township stadium, Uyo.
He acknowledged that the theme was apt as it mirrors his ARISE Agenda’s vision of building model schools across the state and completion of the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, DASAC, designed to produce highly skilled manpower for a technologically- driven society.
Governor Eno noted that the students from public schools screened and selected for participation in the Educational Exchange Programme with the London Borough of Southwark, will soon embark on the trip, assuring that it will be an impressionable and transformative exercise for the beneficiaries.
He called on parents and guardians to guide their wards away from anti-social behaviour and other vices that will hinder their growth and development, while reminding the children of their pride of place in his administration.
The state chief executive added that he will continuously equip children with the requisite ICT and Entrepreneurial skills that will enable them perform optimally and compete globally.
He announced that education remains free and compulsory at primary and secondary levels in the state, and assured that WAEC and NABTEB fees for students in the State would be paid promptly, urging them to take advantage of the free education to build a solid foundation for themselves.
According him, “since the majority of our pupils attend public schools, we have made conscious effort to ensure that the quality of teachers we employ are up to date with modern teaching techniques and tools.
“This will be done through regular attendance of refresher courses. We have announced the recruitment of education monitors to ensure strict adherence to this policy.
“We are not just providing a conducive environment and trained teachers, we are also equipping our pupils with the necessary skills, especially in ICT and entrepreneurial skills.
“I call on parents and guadians to guide their children from ills such as cultism, drug abuse, and other vices that may inhibit their growth and development.The biblical injunction in Proverbs 23:6 has brought home this admonition vividly: “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan appreciated the Governor for the free and compulsory education in the State, the engagement of quality teachers, commissioning of Christ the King Model Primary School at Wellington Bassey Way and Government Model Primary School, Ewet Offot and the promise to build model schools across the State.
She noted that Akwa Ibom children should look forward to enjoying brighter days as the government continues to unfold more programmes and projects.
