REPORTER: CHIKA KENNETH- ESONWUNE
The present administration in Anambra state government has disclosed plans to review the state Education curriculum to incorporate practical teaching and skills acquisition to enable students have a clear vision of their abilities and future career paths.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Ogugua made the disclosure during a familiarization meeting with Principals of public Secondary Schools in Awka.
The Commissioner highlighted that Governor Charles Soludo’s vision for education was to make Anambra State the foremost educational hub in Nigeria, where students would be equipped with skills suitable for the 21st century.
“Education has gone digital, and we will not be left behind.There is an urgent need for the state to be at par with global best practices.”
He regretted that education in Nigeria still leans heavily on theory as most laboratories meant for science practicals are only used during examinations, a situation he said would not be condoned during his tenure.
Dr Ogugua explained that digitization of the state’s education system,training and retraining of teachers and renovation of dilapidated school infrastructure remain top priorities for the Soludo led government.
Addressing the principals, he reminded them that as managers of their various schools, they are the face of the government to students, teachers, and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and therefore must represent the government positively by implementing the free education policy to the letter.
“You cannot expect your teachers and students to be exemplary if you yourselves are not”
He frowned at reports that some principals were placing undue financial burdens on parents despite the state’s free education policy, warning that such practices would no longer be tolerated.
The Commissioner also condemned the increasing reports of examination malpractice in public schools, warning that public schools must not become miracle centres emphasizing that principals are the chief security officers of their schools and are expected to safeguard all facilities and equipment provided by the government.
“As principals, you are the chief accounting officers of your schools. Therefore, accountability and proper record-keeping are expected of you”
Dr. Ogugua stressed that community engagement was essential, noting that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of running schools.
He urged principals to build strong relationships with their PTAs, Alumni Associations, and host communities to help address many of the challenges facing their schools adding that when students were properly nurtured and given the right education, society would become better.
In their reactions, the Principals highlighted some of their challenges to include inadequate infrastructure to accommodate the surge in enrolment resulting from the free education policy, lack of functional school buses, insecurity due to the absence of perimeter fencing in many public schools, shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff particularly in core subjects such as Mathematics, and absence of working tools, including laptops and computer systems.
Responding, the Commissioner assured them that the ministry would look into the issues.
The Principal, Community Secondary School, Oraifite and Chairman , All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Anambra State Chapter, Mrs Hope Ezeani assured the Commissioner of the principals’ support in actualising Governor Charles Soludo’s vision for the education sector in Anambra State.
