FG: Our Desire is to Reduce Number of Out-of-school Children

Okon Bassey in Uyo

The federal government has said that it intends to reduce or completely phase out the growing number of out-of-school children nationwide.
It also lauded the drive by the Akwa Ibom state government in the development of basic education infrastructure in the state.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who made the commendation, observed with satisfaction the ongoing remodelling of Christ the King School, (CKS) Primary School to be replicated in the 31 Local Government Areas of the State.

The minister said he was satisfied  when he inspected the remodelled CKS, led by the State Governor, Mr Umo Eno at Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.
Mamman who was in Uyo for the celebration of the University of Lagos 1984 Law Class reunion, said the federal government was impressed by the initiative and imprints of the Eno led- government and described the gesture as creating attractive environment to boost enrolment in schools.
This, he stated, was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of reversing the decline in school enrolments, given the importance he attaches to education at the basic level.

“Indeed, there is hope for us as a country with the effort of all the governors and everybody and the federal government working together collaboratively.
“For us at the federal level, particularly the president, that is our area of focus. We want the out-of-school children to be a matter of history, and this is the way to do it,” the minister said.

Earlier, the state governor, Eno, had stressed  his administration’s determination to pay attention to education at the primary level to spur the passion among school children.
Eno reiterated the need for the state and federal government  to collaborate in revamping the primary education, healthcare, amongst other sectors, to the advantage of the states and country in general.

“We call upon the federal government to support what we are doing.  It is about children and the future of our children,” he said.

The governor said his target was to replicate the model school across the 31 Local Government Areas, adding that the model will be complemented with teachers’ training  to ensure a complete facelift for primary education in the state.

He stressed his administration’s strong inclination towards rural development and resort to infrastructure upgrade in primary schools and healthcare facilities.

“I am passionate about rural development but you also know that education is the foundation. Lack of education carries with it a lot of danger.

“So our ambition is to see what we can do, not just the building. We will furnish it, train the teachers and ensure that we do a total facelift in our primary education,” he said.