Akwa Ibom Partners Commission, Ministry On Education Initiative

The Akwa Ibom State government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing quality education in the state to curb the menace of out-of-school children and enhance enrollment figures in basic schools,

The state has thus enlisted the support of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for the effective implementation of the strategic basic education reforms, explaining that that the move is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving learning outcomes and accelerating sustainable development across the state.

Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, represented by the commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Essien Umoh, during a three-day sensitisation workshop on the HOPE-Education and HOPE-Governance Programme, in Uyo, at the weekend, underscored the importance of embracing the scheme.

LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt that the initiative is part of a $1.5 billion national investment in human capital, with over $500 million specifically earmarked for education.

Prof Umoh commended the governor for his strategic efforts to reposition the education sector through the ARISE Agenda, describing the initiative as a transformative roadmap driving sustainable improvements in the state’s education system.

He added that the governor, few weeks ago, constituted a technical committee to drive the effective implementation of the programme in the state.

The committee is tasked with coordinating the various components of the reform to ensure a clear, strategic and forward looking vision for education development in line with the administration’s ARISE Agenda.

The commissioner assured delegates of the HOPE-EDU and HOPE-GOVERNANCE initiative of the Akwa Ibom government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the initiative, pledging that the state government would play its part diligently to guarantee the success for the benefit of future generations.

The commissioner noted that Governor Umo Eno has significantly elevated the educational system in Akwa Ibom State through the establishment of model schools aimed at expanding access to quality education, as well as the provision of essential learning materials, recruitment of highly qualified teachers and the development of well-equipped classrooms and modern laboratories to create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

The chairman, Akwa Ibom State Universal Education Board, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, further reaffirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate fully with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure the seamless execution of the programme and the overall advancement of basic education in the state.

The SUBEB chairman urged the attendees to fully embrace the HOPE-EDU programme as a transformative platform for strengthening basic education delivery, emphasising the need for collaboration, accountability and commitment at all levels.

He encouraged education stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of policies, proper utilisation of funds and improved monitoring mechanisms to guarantee better learning outcomes for pupils.