The Akwa Ibom State government has commended the Village Head of Ikot Ekpene village in Ikot Ekpene local government area, Etteidung Edet Okon, for exhibiting vigilance and patriotism in the arrest of suspected cultists vandalising facilities at the government school in the community.
The government therefore charged stakeholders and leaders across the State to take extra measures to support government’s investments in the sector, stressing that the duty of safeguarding amenities in their respective communities rest squarely on them.
Addressing participants at a forum organised by the Ministry of Education for the distribution of free ARISE branded exercise books for pupils in all public primary schools in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District at the Methodist Central School, Anwa Udokai, Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet also reiterated Governor Umo Eno’s intolerance to illegal charges by head teachers of public schools.
Mrs Etiebet who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Stella Etukakpan, pleaded with the various head teachers and administrators to comply with the instructions given, and avoid imposition of levies on the notebooks or any other purpose.
”Do not levy your pupils. If you are caught, you will not only refund the money, but you will be disciplined in line with the public service rules. The Government wants these books to reach the intended children for effective learning
“I also want to admonish all head teachers to report early for school. When you are the head teacher and you go to school late your teachers will be late which is not in line with the Governor’s plan for education,” she stressed
Responding, Etteidung Okon said, ”We previously apprehended thugs who came to vandalise the school and got them appropriately handed over to the Police.”
He expressed confidence in the governor to deliver more people-oriented projects to Ikot Ekpene, and solicited for a perimeter fence to stop hoodlums from accessing and vandalising school properties.
Also Speaking, the Dean, College of Ward Personal Aides to the Governor, Mr Aniefiok Udo James promised the support of all his colleagues to work with all head teachers and administrators to deliver on the assignment of getting the books to all pupils as intended by the Governor.
Speaking, the head teacher of St Anne’s Catholic School, Elder Sunday Inwang, was full of praises to God for blessing the state with a governor like Pastor Umo Eno.
He said, “What the Governor has done, we have not seen before. I’m really grateful to be a teacher under this administration because we have experienced what we haven’t experienced before”.
“The distribution of these exercise books will attract so many pupils to come to school as this was a major hindrance to students before now”.
