Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has charged secondary school principals across the state to exhibit more legitimate commitments that would ensure better rating for the state in public examinations in the country.
Oyebanji said he would never relent in promoting the welfare of Principals and teachers to live quality and comfortable lives commensurate to the services they render in the process of building human capital resources available to the state.
Oyebanji disclosed this on Tuesday, while opening session of the three-day biannual Southwest Bloc’s Meeting of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), held in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, reminded the principals that high rating for Ekiti in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) remained a veritable yardstick to appraise the qualities of teachers being paraded by the state.
“Ekiti State is a Land of Honour and Fountain of Knowledge. Education is the major industry in Ekiti State, so we must make it thrives. You should also know that the overall performance of your students in external examinations is a direct reflection of of the qualities of principals and teachers.
“I, therefore, implore you to use all legitimate methods to ensure your students excel in their examinations. I also advise you to prevail on the parents to fulfil their own obligations toward their children”.
Harping on the need for the citizens to key into the policy of his government to promote education, Oyebanji advised the principals to partner private organisations and alumni associations to boost Infrastructures in schools.
“Education is a key to success in life. Ekiti State Government holds the principals of Secondary Schools in high esteem. This was demonstrated through the appointments of Principals as Tutors-General in the state.
“As of now, three former Principals are occupying the post of Tutors-General in the State. This appointment encourages other Principals to be diligent and hopeful of getting to a higher level before retirement”.
Oyebanji stated that State Government would not relent in fulfilling the agenda of putting machinery in place for more investment in the education sector, saying this reflected in the huge amount earmarked to the sector in the 2024 appropriation law.
“Government through the Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) had injected over N2 Billion for massive renovation and upgrade of schools throughout the state to making leading environment more conducive and interesting for both teachers and students.
“Other areas of intervention in the Secondary Schools included provision of science equipment, training of Teachers in ICT, perimeter fencing to secure the schools, provision of Information and Communication Technology gadgets in schools implementation of outstanding financial benefit of promotion, payment of WEAC fees, Distribution of JAMB forms deserving students and Regular payment of Running Grants”.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, appealed to teachers not to be disillusioned by challenges confronting their profession, assuring that the current government shall continually celebrate and reward them commensurately .
She revealed that the state government had expended a sum of N2.2 billion for renovation of structures in schools, while improvements have been made on ICT facilities and laboratories, saying high provision to education sector in the 2024 budget would spur more development in the sector.
Aderiye reminded the principals that the expectations and demands of Nigerians from them are high, describing them as the engineroom of education being executors of government’s policies and programmes at the secondary cadre of education .
She said: “Nigerians are expecting a lot from you because you are familiar with the policies that affect education. You are the executors and the engineroom . Put more efforts to ensure that education doesn’t suffer any degrade”.
The Commissioner urged the principals to get themselves acquainted with ICT and e-learning skills, saying the facilities are strategic to the survival and improvement of the sector under this 21st century.
Speaking at the event, the ANCOPPS Chairman, Southwest Bloc, Pastor Abraham Ojetunde, stated that the meeting, would afford them the opportunity to cross-fertilise ideas on how to uplift education sector across southwest that was widely respected as the hub of eggheads in Nigeria.
Ojetunde, who doubles as the President of Oyo chapter of ANCOPSS, added that the body should always maintain decorum, civility and intellectualism while handling any issue with the government and make education paramount to protect the future of the country.
In his submission, the ANCOPPS President, Ekiti Chapter, Mrs Adekemi Olukowade, applauded the current government for prioritising regular payment of running grants, WAEC registration fees to candidates, and for appointing principals as Tutors-General, among other giant strides undertaken to rejig the education sector.