Ime Akpan
One of the components on the ARISE Agenda menu of Governor Umo Eno is sound education. According to experts, sound education, encompassing comprehensive and effective learning, is crucial for individual development, societal progress and economic prosperity. It prepares individuals for future challenges, enhances their skills and character and contributes to a more equitable and thriving society.
Since his coming to power in 2023, Eno has upped the ante in the quality of education by providing conducive learning environment for both the teachers and students in the state.
His policy holds to establish model schools equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, technology centres, libraries, implement advanced curriculum, all aimed at improving the quality of public education and prepare students for the global stage.
Not given to building a house from the roof down, Eno started his revolution in the education sector with the primary school which is crucial because it lays the foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed for future learning and life, helps children develop essential social, emotional, and cognitive abilities as well as prepares them for further education and active citizenship. Experts believe that quality primary education can break cycles of poverty and contribute to national economic prosperity and social cohesion.
Starting from the foundation, the government plans to provide a model primary school in each of the 31 local government areas in the state.
“We are constructing model primary schools which will rank amongst be the best in the nation. We will replicate this model in all the ten Federal Constituencies and eventually to all the 31 local government areas.
“We believe the foundation for enduring education starts at the primary level and the environment we expose our kids to, will make the difference in their later educational pursuits,” Eno declared at the presentation of the 2024 budget proposal in Uyo.
He resolved to provide conducive environment complemented by free uniforms, books and shoes to accelerate the increase in enrollment while payments of WAEC fees and subventions to the tertiary institutions will be given a priority.
His resolve is to make education, which builds up respect for human rights and freedoms and empowers people to participate optimally in the development of society, better than he met it.
He has exemplified this commitment by strengthening the free and compulsory education policy.
The declaration of this all-important educational policy by the government has become one of the essentials of public policy roadmap that has shaped, emboldened and enliven the educational burden of the needy, downtrodden and the have-nots in the society with feasible results in an unprecedented proportion.
The fundamental drive of the policy ensures that every child in Akwa Ibom can go to school without having to worry about fees. The programme has achieved remarkable increase in the net enrolment of primary school children in the state.
Realising that building quality education infrastructure is crucial for improving student outcomes, increasing access to learning and reducing dropout rates, the Eno-led administration does not only construct new schools and classrooms but also provides essential resources like toilets, laboratories and equipment.
The new schools, like CKS Primary School in Uyo, Model Primary School in Idung Offiong, St. Ignatius Primary School in Ukana Iba, and Holy Child Convent Model Primary School, Abak, among others, are cases in point.
The government also supports secondary and post-secondary education through initiatives focused on skills development and career awareness. These include capacity-building programmes, bursaries and grants to help students unlock their potential and prepare for the workforce.
The Eno-led administration instituted a N100 million education intervention fund to assist the educational needs of students with disabilities in tertiary institutions by providing bursaries and scholarships. The move is a fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to prioritize the education sector and support vulnerable groups
The government also did an upward review of bursaries for public university students, raising undergraduate support from N10, 000 to N20, 000 and professional student support (law, medicine, engineering, etc.) from N10, 000 to N30, 000 for 20,000 students.
To ensure Akwa Ibom children compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world, the governor initiated a United Kingdom Education Exchange Programme, to give foreign exposure to some bright but not-so-privileged Akwa Ibom children and encourage them to believe in hard work.
Over 271 students from public secondary schools across the state were selected for the programme after their participation in a paper-based examination.
As part of the exchange programme, a two-day capacity-building workshop on Education Skills Upscaling for principals of public secondary schools in the state organised by the ministry of education had in attendance the Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Michael Situ, and David Bromfield, senior education advisor of Southwark Council.
The UK Education Exchange Programme is a testament to the fulfilment of the governor’s promise of creating an exchange programme where participants will experience, learn and adopt global best practices aimed at improving the state’s education system and giving exposure to intelligent students from the rural areas.
“The reason for this programme is for the brilliant child in a public school in the village who didn’t even think of it or have hope of going to the airport, to have the opportunity of sitting on a 6-7 hours flight to arrive the UK and you tell him this ‘just the beginning, if you take your education more seriously, it can take you to any part of the world and you can sit on the table with anyone,” Eno said of the exchange programme.
The ARISE Agenda intervention in the education sector is not solely student- and infrastructure-centred. The teachers are also in the mix. Realising that teacher training is crucial for educators to develop effective teaching strategies, manage classrooms, and adapt to evolving educational needs, ultimately benefiting students and contributing to a more positive learning environment, the Eno-led government has ensured that teachers are routinely trained and retrained to ensure they are proficient in utilising modern teaching tools and the new curriculum.
Besides, regular curriculum inspection and monitoring are in place to ensure the curriculum is being implemented effectively.
Reward for excellence
Governor Eno’s passion for education and development in the state is exemplified in the ‘Academic Excellence and Exceptional Grit Award’ which was instituted to reward individuals who have excelled in various educational pursuits. The award is intended to inspire and motivate students to pursue excellence in their education as well as create a positive ripple effect within the school community.
In the Academic Excellence Award and Exceptional Grit Award, Edidiong Essien who scored 8 As in the 2023 West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) was awarded N10 million. A medical doctor, Dr. Joseph Akpan, who scored 10 distinctions out of eleven courses in his final examination at the University of Uyo, was awarded full tuition and living expenses to study for a masters degree overseas. Five Akwa Ibom students who won the Singapore- Bilateral International School Debate got N15 million, with an additional N5 million going to the teachers who led the team.
The former commissioner for information in the state, Mr Ini Ememobong described the governor’s passion for education as “unquestionable and unpretentious.”
“He knows that education is the fastest vehicle that can transport people from oblivion to prominence. He promised to put education first and he’s doing so,” Ememobong said.
A volunteer group under the aegis of ARISE Ambassadors noted: “A very crucial sector where the governor has timely intervened in the education sector, where he has raised a banner without stain and hoisted Akwa Ibom on the totem pole of a bright future, secured in lofty policies and programmes.
“More so, free books, school uniforms, school bags, and school shoes are given to the children to complement the effort of their parents/guardians. This way, a huge burden is taken from the sponsors while achieving the aim of making the children feel excited to study at that impressionable age,” it said.
The group commended the governor for instituting the N100 million Education Trust Fund for persons with disabilities who are studying in tertiary institutions as well as facilitating the payment of bursary to Akwa Ibom State students in tertiary institutions to ease their financial burden.
Similarly, a public affairs commentator, Mr Anamemem Ubokudom Governor has a clear vision and unwavering dedication to education.
He the governor’s innovative educational advancement policy “is evident in his administration’s efforts to provide a conducive learning environment, equipped with modern facilities and skilled teachers,” adding “his vision for a revitalised education system is a key component of the ARISE Agenda, which aims to build model schools across the state and equip school children with essential skills for the future.”
*Akpan can be reached at imeking@yahoo.com
