Government to resuscitate education bank to meet sector’s challenges

• Students protest against state of education in Ogun State

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has disclosed a plan to resuscitate education bank in the country. Adamu dropped the hint yesterday as part of the activities to mark the 2017 World Teachers Day in Abuja.

While speaking on “Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers for the 21st Century Challenges,” he said the plan became necessary to meet the financial needs of teachers and students.

“The Education Bank was created to replace the Nigerian Students and Loans Board, which later ran into some problems. “The bank is one of the best ways, not just for the teachers, but also for students from not-well-to-do families to facilitate their education,” he said.

The minister said quality education could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, security and freedom, adding that government would not relent in ensuring an enabling environment for teaching across the federation.

Adamu also disclosed that the Federal Government was planning to offer automatic scholarship to students running education programmes in tertiary institutions to attract the best brains to the teaching profession.

He said the move was in line with the Ministerial Strategic Plan (2016-2019) of the ministry, which places emphasis on teacher education, capacity building and professional development.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Michael Alogba, commended the Federal Government and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for appreciating teachers.

He was represented by the Acting Secretary of the NUT, Mike Ike Ene. Meanwhile, students in Ogun State have protested against what they called the worrisome state of education in the state.

The students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) took their protest to the Government House, where Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressed them.

The Chairman of the state chapter of NANS, Olawale Balogun, urged the governor to urgently address the issues surrounding the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, the cancellation of enrolment fees for senior secondary students, as well as the increased acceptance fee at Olabisi Onabanjop Univeristy, Ago Iwoye.

Amosu promised that the students at Mapoly would be allowed to complete their studies in Abeokuta and not Ipokia where the school had been moved.