Anambra government recently took time off to honour its indigenes; individuals who support the course of education in the state through the infrastructural development of schools, scholarships, and foundations to ensure that students achieve their dreams.
The milestone event, held at the Hollywood Event Centre, Awka, tagged ‘A Day with Anambra State Education Builders’. In commemoration of Anambra’s 30th anniversary, a total of 57 indigenes were honoured. The individuals received plaques and certificates for their support and contributions to the sector.
In her address titled ‘What is leadership if you cannot influence’, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, commended the awardees for their support and contributions to education over the years.
“Today provides the opportunity to sing their songs, to celebrate them, to say a big thank you for their numerous contributions to education in the state. A lot of you have supported the state government by providing extra teachers for our schools, building classrooms, toilet facilities, equipping libraries, training teachers, giving extra-mural lessons, equipping science laboratories, etc.,” said Omenugha.
Omenugha, the first professor of Gender and Communications in Nigeria, revealed that a handbook titled, ‘A Guide to Public-Private Collaboration Initiatives/ Interventions in Schools’ had been prepared to provide a pathway for individuals and organisations intervening “in our schools.”
Paul B Construction Company managing director, Paul Enidom appealed to stakeholders to support Anambra’s education system. He emphasised a partnership model where the government and private sector can continuously interact on education funding, particularly in hard-to-reach communities. A data bank that will link all schools in Anambra should also be put in place.
“The data bank is imperative so that anybody that wants to key in can have a clear idea of what to do. The organisation will also constitute a board, have an education trust fund, and they can harmonise the activities of old boys and girls of schools.”
Governor Willie Obiano explained that the occasion was an opportunity “to thank our great Anambra men and women who have keyed into the vision of providing quality and value-based education in the state.” He described education as very imperative to the development of the state, saying that as one of its enablers, his administration recognises that none of the pillars can stand without a solid education.
“This explains the huge investments we have made in education over the years. We approach education from three-pronged areas; infrastructure, teachers’ welfare and students’ welfare,” added Obiano.
He said infrastructure has made many Anambra schools wear new looks by remodelling science laboratories in over 60 secondary schools and revamping technical colleges. The governor further noted that the schools could be found in all the 179 communities of the state and easily recognisable with their red roofs, popularly called ‘the red roof revolution’.
“The technical colleges have been revamped as over 26 trade subjects have been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), with the workshops having state of the art equipment,” stated the governor. “One of our greatest legacies is the model hostels we are building in the 12 technical colleges with 750 students’ capacity, which ultimate aim is to provide the technical college students with befitting boarding facilities that will make them both attractive and competitive.”
He added, “The hostels will also provide the opportunities for people to travel and live in any of the technical colleges that have their choice trade subjects.”
According to the governor, students’ welfare, including conducive environments for learning, is paramount. He pointed out that Anambra has made education “inclusive.”
“Our policy has made us reach students who even live beyond the end of the road. We have given prime attention to the special and the physically challenged students in our special education centres, giving them free tuition,” Obiano explained. “The same free tuition has been extended to technical colleges from NTC one to three. We have remodelled our special education centres giving the special students a liveable environment and increasing their subventions.”
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