By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
Stakeholders in Edo State have pledged their commitment to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision for education reform in the State. At the maiden Parents Summit during Education Week organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education, various groups, including market women associations, trade and workers unions, religious and traditional groups, adopted aspects of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) program aimed at improving learning outcomes and turning every child in Edo into a reading champion.
The President of the Edo Market Women Association, Madam Blacky, announced the group’s adoption of the School O’Clock program, which seeks to ensure that no child of school age is found outside the school during school hours. She pledged that market women across Edo would report any child found hawking during school hours to the nearest police station. The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo State also pledged its support to the Making Every Child a Reading Champion agenda in Edo State.
Other groups, including the Muslim Women Association, Textile Worker’s Association, Catholic Women Association, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and representatives of the Oba of Benin and School-based management committees, among others, also thanked the Governor and the Commissioner, Dr Joan Oviawe for their efforts and pledged their support to the education reforms.
The stakeholders praised Governor Obaseki for reviving education in the state and urged parents to provide learning materials for their children and monitor their progress in school closely. They also expressed their desire for the governor’s legacy to continue after his tenure.
Earlier in the event, Governor Obaseki had urged stakeholders present, particularly parents, to take responsibility for sustaining the reforms.
“How do we make sure that all of these reforms will last, that nobody will come and have the temerity to stop paying teachers? ” he queried, adding that “We must ensure sustainability, it’s not magic, if you say it must be sustained it must be sustained.
“We are talking about public schools to make sure we change the narrative. To one that you do not have to be wealthy to receive a quality education,” he concluded.The pledges made by the various stakeholders demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that Edo State’s education system is reformed and every child has access to quality education. With the support of these groups, Governor Obaseki’s vision for education reform in Edo State is as he said “almost there” on its way to becoming a reality.
The Parent Summit was widely attended from stakeholders across the education ecosystem in Edo State, and the keynote address was delivered by the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diosece of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. Governor Obaseki was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Betsy Obaseki. Members of the State Executive Council were also in attendance.
