By Florence Ugbem
The Benue State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment towards revamping and restoring the lost glory of education in the state.
The Commissioner gave the affirmation last Monday during a meeting with principals of schools across the three zones in the state and stakeholders in the education sector at Government Model College, Makurdi.
Rev. Ikyaan, who assured that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, stated that the Alia-led administration understands the vital role education plays in the development of a sane and prosperous society.
The commissioner assured that he will continue to interact with stakeholders in the sector to find lasting solutions to the challenges bothering education in the state.
“We will prioritize the renovation and reconstruction of our schools, ensuring that our students and teachers have safe and conducive learning environments. Salaries will be paid promptly, promotions and incentives will be reinstated and we will create a system that rewards hard work and dedication
“Education is not just a sector but the bedrock of our future that deserves our utmost attention and dedication”, he maintained.
According to him, government was taking steps to reposition the sector and called on all stakeholders to join him in the journey of transformation.
The Commissioner said under his watch, the ministry will tackle the menace of illegal schools, strengthen the regulatory framework and take decisive action to ensure that every educational institution in the state meet the required standards, adding that they would collaborate with relevant agencies to face examination fraud and corruption and uphold the integrity of examinations in the state.
Responding on behalf of principals from zone A, the principal of G.S.S, Ugba, Mr Augustine Veregh, called for improvement of teachers’ welfare. He also called on the state government to address the issue of insecurity in the area, which he said, has affected education, saying, a lot of school children are in IDPs camps.
In their separate remarks, representative of Zone B, who is the principal of Bristow Secondary School, Gboko, Mr. Adzor Jem and that of Zone C, who is the principal of Enulo College, Otukpo, Mr. Idaa Odeh unanimously pledged the support of teachers and prayed for wisdom, good health and courage for the commissioner to carry out the policies and plans enumerated.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Mr. Agbo Ochekpe, said it was a new dawn for Benue State and urged them to desist from all forms of corruption in the system and do away with exam malpractices.
