Edo State Government as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the State’s education system, met with private school owners and proprietors in the State to strengthen collaborations to stamp out illegal and substandard schools in the State.
The Acting Director General of Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education, Rosaline Okosun, during the meeting, at the Government House, in Benin City, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in the State, ensuring that every Edo child receives the best education to compete favourably with their peers across the globe.
In attendance at the meeting were members and executives of the Edo State chapters of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Association for Formidable Development (AFED) and Association of Private Schools of Nigeria (APSON), among others.
She noted that the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has signed an Executive Order to establish the Directorate of Quality Assurance, with a focus to raise the standard of education in Edo State, both in the private and public schools.
According to her, “We must improve standards for better and quality education. Our role is to make you comply with the education policies put in place to improve the standard of education in Edo State. We will not allow sub-standard schools in Edo State. We will also ensure that all schools are registered and would come after those who are not registered with the government.
“We will not allow sub-standard schools in Edo State and all miracle centers bastardizing education. We will close them all and allow education to thrive in Edo State. Be registered and refusal to do that will lead to punishment.”
She added, “A task force will be formed and the team will start work in August to monitor schools and ensure strict compliance with government policies. We will also form an advisory board to advise us on the way forward.”
Speaking on the need for well-trained and qualified teachers to deliver quality teaching to students in private schools across the State, Okosun said, “I appeal to proprietors and private school owners to train their teachers and deliver quality education. You must employ only quality and qualified teachers in your schools.”
In her response, the Acting Controller, Association for Formidable Development (AFED), Abudu Faith commended the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in the State, reassuring the support and collaboration of her association.
Also, the Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Oredo Local Government Area, Mr. Kelvin Eboigbe appealed to the government to ensure the inclusion of members of the various associations in the task force to monitor the implementation across schools in the State.
