By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The newly appointed Commissioner of Education in Edo State, Dr Paddy Iyamu has applauded the initiative of Governor Monday Okpebholo to improve infrastructure and strengthen public schools in the state with qualified teachers.
This was made known at a media briefing by the commissioner in his office against the backdrop of the new administration's drive to improving teaching and learning in the State.
The Okpebholo's administration the commissioner said is in a hurry to improve standard in all aspects of our educational endeavours and clean up the present rots in the system and make the State a reference Port in public schools management in the country.
He further said improvement in personnel and infrastructure will effectively prepare ground for the State to launch itself in the global new normal, which is, technological advancement in Artificial Intelligence.
He said he found it very disgusting seeing students sitting on the bare floor without chairs and tables for their leaning, assuring that the ministry would focus on infrastructural development to make schools environment more conducive for every Edo child.
Dr Iyamu said the State government was committed to its target in teachers recruitment with the initial bid to employ 500, stressing that the exercise would be in tranches until the system becomes fully strengthened with the requisite teaching and non teaching staff for effective service delivery.
The commissioner disclosed that they are going to conduct biometry across all the schools in the state to fish out ghost workers if any, from the system."We will clean up the books because some people are retiring while some are deceased. We will try and bring in fresh hands.
He assured the National Union Of Teachers (NUT) that there is nothing to worry about because the governor is passionate and committed to ensuring that the children have enough teachers to teach them.
On the Star Teachers engaged by the immediate past government in the state whose contract will be expiring by March this year, the commissioner said a review exercise is in the offing to determine the next line of action in that regard.
He noted that the employment portal for teachers recruitment was open for all qualified candidates including the star teachers to apply.
Continuing, Dr. Iyamu said those qualified are eligible to be employed as permanent teachers. He however, said that they will also do a review and assessments of the way forward.
He said efforts were on to introduce skills acquisition training in schools, outside normal academic leaning periods where students will have the opportunity to learn job specific trades such as hairdressing, repair of phones etc.
He said in recent findings indicate that a good number of graduates are without jobs, stressing that the scheme would strive to close that gap by mobilizing citizens to be productive.
"We are going to be touch lighting this aspect of our growth with major focus on vocational training and other skills to assist the students in their personal development. When you are coming out of school with certificates you will equally have something else to go into the job market to compete and also be an employer of labour.
On the EDO BEST programme, Dr. Iyamu said technological advancement is part of the Ministry's programme, adding that anything that is going to increase knowledge in all its ramifications would be done. He said the Ministry would keep reviewing the process and programme they met and make possible improvement where necessary.
"In all the major benefactors is the Edo child. Anything to advance their knowledge base and their well-being is what the government is very particular about. The drive is going to cut across over one thousand primary and secondary schools in the state".
He emphasize the need for the state to collaborate with the Federal Government on all policies designed to benefit participating states.
On how to address some of the anomalies in private schools in Edo State, the commissioner said his ministry will soon to carry out a review and promised to meet with Private School owners as quickly as possible to get them buy-in to ensure every stakeholder is carried along.
"All Edo parents should know that there is going to be a new dawn. As I said there is going to be overhaul in the system. All mushrooms schools will be closed down no matter how highly placed is the owner of such schools. The right thing need to be done. We have to keep up the standard of operating level across the educational line ". Dr. Iyamu concluded.
Post a Comment