Stakeholders Applaud Gov Alia For Prioritising Education

The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), in collaboration with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Benue State Chapter, has commended Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia for his rapid transformation of the state’s education sector.

In an interaction with journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, on Wednesday, the state chairman of NAPTAN, Chief Godwin Agbo, said members of the two associations in the state had monitored the administration’s developmental strides and were satisfied with the governor’s performance.

Agbo said Governor Alia had “performed creditably well and laid a solid foundation for a prosperous future through reforms that have redefined public education in the state, including the improved supervision, monitoring and quality assurance in all departments in the education sector.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja yesterday, Agbo said, “The association was impressed by the administration’s infrastructure drive, which has seen the construction of modern classroom blocks in the 23 local government areas, replacing dilapidated structures and makeshift ‘under-the-tree’ learning environments.

“The recruitment of over 9,700 qualified teachers for Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) primary schools is a major intervention aimed at bridging manpower gaps and improving learning outcomes in public schools,” he said.

NAPTAN also hailed the state government over the signing into law of the bill establishing the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board, noting that the regulatory body would ensure “high standards, accountability and effective monitoring of school performance across the state.

“Also, under the current administration, the welfare of our members has been prioritised through prompt payment of salaries and pensions, which has boosted the morale of educators and has repositioned public schools as a hub for quality and sustainable knowledge acquisition”.

On tertiary education, Agbo cited the ongoing construction of the Benue State University of Agriculture Science and Technology (BUSAST) in Ihugh, Vandeikya local government area, “as a strategic step toward expanding access to higher education and fostering innovation in agriculture.

“With the planned initiative to decongest Benue State University (BSU) through the establishment of satellite campuses and expansion of research facilities in the North-East and South Senatorial Districts, Governor Alia has shown a realistic determination towards revamping the educational fortunes of the state.

“The resuscitation of scholarship and bursary payments to deserving students in tertiary institutions has demonstrated the Governor’s commitment to empowering Benue youths through education and alleviating the burden of parents in financing the education of their children.

“We are equally satisfied with the introduction of digital learning tools, including smart boards and libraries in some public schools, as part of efforts to modernise the education system. These are credible innovations, especially in an era driven by information technology and artificial intelligence as veritable learning tools,” he said.

The association further commended the government for abolishing graduation ceremonies for nursery and primary pupils, compulsory after-school lessons, and the ban on specialised exercise books that had to be purchased from schools, saying “the policies had reduced financial pressure on parents and ended an era of exploitation”.

In solidarity with the governor, the groups pledged their “unalloyed support” for his administration and reelection in 2027, even as they unanimously approved the nomination of Governor Alia as patron of NAPTAN, Benue State Chapter.