The emphasis on education as the live wire for the growth and sustainable development of any economy can never be overfloged. So the decision of the administration of Governor Akpabio to flag off an agenda of free ad compulsory education at the cradle of his administration must be applauded.
Obviously, the precedence set by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Leo’s may have inspired Dr. Godswill Akpabio in his vision to empower the youths of Akwa Ibom State towards the depositioning in essence, the social welfare policy served as the harbinger of the uncommon transfer motion in Akwa Ibom State.
Sequel to this timely development, the State government in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Ministry of Education forged alliance with the private sector to record a mile stone in the vision of mopping the streets of child hawkers and filling the classrooms with pupils. A most striking phenomenon about this people oriented policy is foreseeable in the undiscriminatory nature of its implementation. In other words, the policy was open even to non – indigenes living in Akwa Ibom State.
To say the least, by rolling out this education largesse, the government of Akwa Ibom State addressed the problem of child abuse and molestation that bedeviled the State. It would be recalled that the State was at the centre of media reports in the light of its tolerance for the child witchcraft saga that threatened the existence of the Akwa Ibom child. As a measure of asserting the Millennium Development size of UNICEF, Governor Akpabio signed into law; the child rights act that lead to rest all dispute that dampened the future of the Nigerian child.
As a follow up, one of the major challenges of the scheme had been that of enforcement. This is owing to the fact that some parents especially in the rural areas declined to send their children to the free public schools despite the fact that they were to pay nothing. This is where the second-limb of the two edged policy found form. Government had to employ means of ensuring compliance.
Another challenge has been the competence of the instructors in the public schools. Some of these teachers were only half educated and could not marshal the vision of education led by the current administration. So the idea was up to train and retrain these teachers to meet up the challenge of millennium educational objectives. Many teachers with university degrees and other qualifications were recruited massively into the service.
Government had to make provision for information, textbooks and other witting materials in pursuit of the all important scheme. Since infrastructural development is the bare of economic growth, the government of Dr. Akpabio embarked on a massive renovation and construction of new classrooms and office blocks across all the rural and urban areas. Other facilities such as chairs and desks were also made available to the children. Instructional materials were duely and promptly supplied to give quality education to Akwa Ibom pupils.
In any case, Governor Akpabio looked into the crystal ball and beheld a state with functional and qualitative education which will serve as catalyst for development job creation, poverty alleviation and as a foundation for the envisaged science and technology and industrial revolution. So to achieve the desired functionality and quality in our educational system, this sector which is the main determinant of our collective future must be totally re-organised. The strategy for this aspect will be the production of quality teachers, expansion of our education infrastructure and increased funding.
To this end, while it may be said that Paul has planted, Appolos watered, it is God that giveth increase. It is therefore our heart cry that the administration of Dr. Akpabio nears completion, the next succeeding government will consolidate on the achievement of the free education scheme by even making the prospect more alluring and consequently safeguarding the future of all Akwa Ibom children.
There are many benefits of this programme to justify the huge cost. Free and compulsory schooling ensures access to basic education and reduces illiteracy. It increases knowledge of mathematics and other basic subjects and this facilities good citizenship and success in modern life. It prepares children for advanced training invocations and professions. Free and compulsory education discourages child labour. The more kids are compelled to be in school, the less would be available as house boys and house maids.
Free and compulsory schooling is a very expensive business. It requires meticulous planning, budgeting and skilful implementation. For the Akwa Ibom State, the scheme will cost the government about N7billion, according to official estimates, in a year and this should pay for school fees, PTA levies, and NECO exam fees and provide for about N177.4million as subventions in the State.
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