Edo Partner Private School Owners, To Flush Out Substandard, Unregistered School

By Simeon OSAJIE

As part of it efforts to sanitize the state’s education system, Edo State government has met with private school owners in the state to stamp out illegal and substandard schools in the state.

The Acting Director General of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Rosaline Okosun, made the assertion during meeting between private school owners at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State capital to reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in the State.

According to her, Edo State government is working towards ensuring that every Edo child receives the best education to compete favourably with their peers across the globe.

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 the State, both in the private and public schools.

“We must improve our school 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 substandard schools in the 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 miracle centers bastardizing our education system. We will close them all and allow education to strive in Edo State. Be registered and refusal to do that will lead to punishment.

“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,” she said.

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.

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.