Change mantra will affect education positively, says Anwukah

Minister of State for Education, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Prof. Anthony Anwukah, has informed that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has initiated a change mantra that will bring about a positive turn of events in the socio-economic platform of the country.

The change process according to him will be driven by a Ministerial Strategic Plan (2016-2019), which focuses on improving quality of teachers, revamping the learning environment, creating and supporting the strategic partnership for sustainable and improved funding, among others.

Speaking at the 2016 Annual Speech and Prize Giving Ceremony of Queen’s College (QC), Lagos, at the weekend, Anwukah, added that the administration has also placed a high premium on the attainment of quality and inclusive education for all Nigerians irrespective of age, gender, religion, geographical and cultural settings.

He said, “It is disheartening to note that our gains in education in the context of infrastructure, performance in public examinations, quality of teaching and learning and discipline, have tended to deplete in recent times in Nigeria. This could easily be attributed to years of systemic neglect, depreciated societal values, general indiscipline, inadequate number of qualified teachers, poor study habits of students, perhaps inadequate funding and ineffective utilisation of resources.

“Against this backdrop, the present administration initiated a change mantra which will certainly bring about a positive turn of events in the socio-economic platform of the country. Education is an instrument per excellence and central to the socio-economic development of the nation. This will facilitate the restoration of the lost glory of the Federal Unity Colleges in order to serve as models to other secondary schools in the country.”

Lauding the college for its celebration of success and excellence, Anwukah noted that the event is an attestation to the importance attached to the growth and development of the education of the girl-child.

He said the college has produced women who have held prominent positions in the society, adding that the FME is proud of the achievements and impact the QC’ products have made in shaping the course of Nigerian nation.