BENIN CITY: Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki has disclosed that the ultimate goal of his administration is to establish a functional Basic Educational System which will propel the Edo child to a higher level of creativity, innovation and knowledge.

He made the disclosure while delivering his speech and declaring open the Workshop on Basic Education with the theme: “Repositioning Universal Basic Education in Edo State” held in Benin City the Edo State Capital.

Obaseki who express his delight in the caliber of professionals and expert from the education sector gathered for the workshop express confidence that they are the right mix of persons to deal with the issues of how to reposition and refocus the Basic Education system in the state.

“We have to ensure that the frame work that comes out from this workshop will apply comprehensively to both the public and private schools in the state. Those who violate the rules will be sanction swiftly and appropriately. It is about time we take the present and future of our children more seriously”.

The governor informed the participant at the workshop that the National University Commission (NUC) has given the state approval for the take off of the Tayo Akpata University of Education that will train the caliber of teachers needed to fulfill the goal of his administration for Basic Education in the State.

“The University has to be e-model that would train our teachers from Basic to the Secondary School level using technology as a formidable tool to re-engineer our curriculum”.

The Chairman of the occasion and the Iyase of Benin Kingdom Chief Sam Ige express delight for the step taken by the governor to reposition the education sector and I believe we will get there. “What I have seen today make me believe we will get there, we are looking at every direction of education, I believe we will get there”
The Acting Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Mallam Ali Suleiman said the workshop put in place by the state government is a sectorial approach to developing the education sector. “The road map that will help us to evaluate our performance from time to time will be gotten from this workshop, and the future will be bright for the next generation, the governor is a strategic thinker and he is known for this and the step will change the story of the education sector in the state”.

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Hameed Bobboyi congratulates the governor for taken this bold step to reposition the education sector in the State. “I believe this is a right and necessary step not only by Edo State but by other state in the Federation. I am happy that Edo State is in the fore front of this revolution”.

He said basic education will provide the foundation for the entire educational system. “Education is the responsibility for all as such we need to find the necessary funding to ensure that the sector survives. We need to ensure that the key impus we require in terms of teachers training, the infrastructure, the right environment for learning to take place should all be available. We need to do all we can with the limited resources available to ensure that we build a viral education sector in Nigeria”.

A speaker and a participant at the work shop Dr. Joan Osa-Oviwe said the workshop is an important first step towards a holistic over haul of the public education sector in Edo State. She said the step is encouraging and wonderful saying that the government has prioritized the Educational sector in the state. “We need to put Edo State back on the map once it comes to education, and focus on raising the quality of public school Education as well as assessing it the state”.

The workshop break into various sections which include curriculum Development and teaching matters; infrastructure new technology; sports and recreation; M and E Community participant and planning Managing/recruitment and training.