By Babatunde Ayedoju
The Government of Ondo State recognises the centrality of education in sustainable development which informs policy reforms and implementation in the education sector of the state.
This was made known by the State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while delivering goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 69th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting held in Akure on Monday.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, described the theme for this year’s meeting, “Quality Education Data and Professionalisation of Teaching: Tools for Enhanced National Development,” as timely, saying that it addressed contemporary socioeconomic challenges facing Nigeria’s education system.
Aiyedatiwa told the gathering that, in line with the “OUR EASE” agenda of his administration, the Ondo State Government had made huge investments in the education of all and sundry in the state.
Such investments, he said, included payment of WASSCE registration fees for eligible students; recruitment of teachers; provision of educational materials; regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities; payment of bursary and scholarship; and provision of free shuttle buses for school children across the state.
In his welcome address, the Administrative Secretary of Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Akindele Ige, acknowledged the visionary leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa and his unwavering commitment to educational advancement, innovation and youth development in the state.
He added that the Governor Aiyedatiwa administration continues to prioritise education as the cornerstone of sustainable growth and human capital development.
He said, “The state continues to invest in quality teaching and learning infrastructure, teacher capacity development, and data-driven educational planning.
“We have also leveraged technology and evidence-based decision-making to improve school management, resource allocation, and educational outcomes, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality learning outcomes.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Abel Enitan, described the gathering as a veritable platform for stakeholders across the federation to deliberate on key issues affecting Nigeria’s education system, to review existing policies and to chart new pathways for the growth and sustainability of the nation’s educational enterprise.
He also commended Commissioners for Education and other stakeholders across the country for their dedication to the cause of education and their consistent participation in this annual policy dialogue.
He said that this year’s council meeting could not have come at a more auspicious time, as the nation intensifies efforts to reform its education system to meet global standards and align with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Enitan, while emphasising that education remains the bedrock of national development on a sustainable basis, described it as the foundation upon which social stability, innovation and economic progress are built.
However, the Permanent Secretary stressed that the effectiveness of any educational system is determined by the availability of infrastructure or curriculum relevance and the quality of data that informs policy decisions and the professional competence of teachers who deliver learning outcomes.
He explained that the professionalisation of teaching profession in Nigeria has been the priority of the Federal Government, which can be seen in the huge investment of the Federal Ministry of Education, especially in data collection and information management.
He commended state governments that have been cooperating with the Federal Government in enhancing professional standards of the teaching profession and providing an enabling environment for teachers to thrive.
His words: “The professionalisation of teaching must go hand in hand with improved working conditions and clear career pathways.
“A teacher who feels valued will in turn inspire students to value learning, and this is the chain of transformation that builds great nations.”
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director of Educational Planning and Research, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu, thanked the government of Ondo State and all education stakeholders in the state for hosting the meeting.
She also appreciated all stakeholders who have been contributing to the advancement of education in Nigeria.