… tasks parents, traditional rulers to insist on sustaining reforms

… Cardinal Onaiyekan commends Obaseki for creating new era of excellence in education

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tasked parents and traditional rulers in communities across the State to get involved in ensuring gains recorded by his administration are sustained.

The governor gave the charge during the inauguration of a 1000-members Parents’ Council at the Parent’s Summit held as part of activities to mark the Education Week in Benin City, the State capital.

He said sustainability is only possible when the citizens insist that things should be done properly and done right.

In a keynote address, titled: “Parents, School and Education”, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan commended Governor Obaseki for creating a new era of excellence in education in the State and for inaugurating the Parent’s Council.

Governor Obaseki said Edo children are the future of Nigeria, noting, “Our children are our greatest assets. Human capital development begins with them as they are the future of Edo State and Nigeria. That is why it is very important that we spare no resources in building critical institutions and structures to ensure that systems required are put in place to secure a better future for them.”

He said, “This Parents’ Summit is important and can’t be over emphasized because the actions, decisions and choices which we make today will greatly impact the lives and shape the future of our children.

“This gathering will provide a perfect umbrella for bringing parents, guardians, educators, policy makers, leaders and other stakeholders in the education ecosystem together to discuss various challenges and opportunities related to parenting and the development of our children not only for today but also in the future."

Obaseki continued: “When we began the reforms in education, we knew the challenges were enormous. We decided to start with the foundation - the basic education level. As we thought through the reform process, we looked at five pillars. The most important element in the reform process are the teachers. We had to focus on them and make sure teachers are supported and encouraged to teach the child properly so that they can learn.

“One key pillar we introduced is the communities in the governance of our school system. That pillar led to setting up of the school-based management committee, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), alumni association for various schools as well as the Parents’ Summit, which is holding today.

“As a government, we have moved from a situation where the government feels arrogantly that it knows everything and owns everything to a situation where we know that our citizens know more than us. That is why we rely on our people to make the decisions we have implemented.

“The input of the community is key in terms of the educational outcomes we seek for our children. Education is not only a responsibility of the government but a shared responsibility. Parents have a larger share of that responsibility."

Obaseki further stated, “In the last few years, one thing stands out for us in Edo State, which is the Edo Basic Education Section Transformation (EdoBEST) programme. Edo is now the best in Nigeria. For Edo to become the best, we must focus on the next generation. We must move from schooling to learning.

“We have over 400,000 children in our basic school system learning today. They are going to be our stars tomorrow and form the bulk of human capital for Nigeria. This has been made possible because of the cooperation of communities and parents.

“Sustaining the progress of eight years is possible if only parents and traditional rulers in our communities get involved. Sustainability is only possible when the citizens insist that things should be done properly and done right.

“For sustainability of what we have created, we want to establish the right structures. That’s why I am here today to formally inaugurate the Parents’ Councils of schools in Edo State to further emphasize the role of parents and parents’ participation in our educational system.”

He added, “I congratulate the 1,000 parents who are representatives of the Parents’ Council. As we inaugurate this Parents’ Council today, I believe these parents will lead and advocate for quality education and should be champions of their welfare and ambassadors of good parenting.”

On his part, Cardinal John Onaiyekan noted that governor Obaseki has been able to raise the standard of public schools in the State to compete with private schools, saying that achievement is good news for all.

Onaiyekan noted, “Every Nigerian child’s education deserves to be funded by the State. There should be a forum where leaders and education stakeholders will gather to discuss the funding of Nigeria’s educational system. I congratulate Edo State Governor for his contributions to improve education in the State.”

In her welcome address, a primary 3 pupil of Obaseki Primary School, Osaigbovo Melody, thanked the governor for the reforms in the education sector, noting that the EdoBEST Programme has improved the learning and reading ability of Edo children.