The Vice-Chancellor of Edo State University Uzairue, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyo, Rector of Edo Polytechnic Usen, Prof. Abiodun Falodun and other stakeholders in the education sector have commended the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the big, bold step of developing a new policy to drive growth in the state’s education sector.
The new policy, according to the stakeholders, will bring sanity and improvement in teaching and learning outcomes, enhance the quality of vocational and technical education and sustain the gains recorded in basic education through the Edo State Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme, which has now been expanded to accommodate all levels of learning in Edo.
With the new policy, Edo has now operationalized the disarticulation of junior and senior secondary schools in the state after 20 years the system was recommended for implementation; introduced a multi-campus system to two state-owned tertiary institutions; commenced the prosecution of parents and guardians of out-of-school children, and trained 2,000 new teachers on Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills, digital pedagogy, among other reforms to place education on a high pedestal in the state.
Speaking to journalists at the weekend, Prof. Falodun commended the state governor for the move of formulating a new education policy.
According to him, “With the new policy, tertiary institutions across the state have been given the mandate by Governor Obaseki to restructure and reposition their curriculum in line with the expanded EdoBEST 2.0.
“EdoBEST 2.0 is all about enrichment that will enable institutions to produce graduates that are market-ready in line with the 21st-century knowledge-based economy.”
“This new policy will strengthen our vocational skills in Edo State Polytechnic Usen.
The document will also help tertiary education in the state to come out with dynamic policies,” the rector added.
On his part, Edo Varsity VC hailed Governor Obaseki for the laudable initiative, noting that the new policy will transform the education system.
He added, “Developing an educational policy for the state is really commendable, especially coming at this time. Its impact on the state’s education system cannot be overemphasized.”