Edo State Ministry of Education launches Parents Council during the Edo Education Week 2024

As part of activities lined up for the Edo Education Week 2024, today the 2nd edition of the Parents Summit was hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Education under the leadership of the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe.

This monumental gathering was attended by over 1,000 parents from across the 18 local government areas of Edo State and doubled as the Inauguration of the Parents Council.

Giving the opening presentation, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe, expounded on the rationale and objectives of the Parents Council.

In a presentation titled, “Why Parents Council?”, she expounded that the Parents Council was set up to serve as an independent advisory board to the Ministry of Education and schools ( public/private schools). In setting up the Parents Council, the Ministry recognizes the presence of already existing PTA committees and integrates the PTA Chairpersons as representatives in the state-level Parents Council which will be headed by a Head Parent.

The Keynote address by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Bishop Emeritus of Abuja centred on the Role of Parents in Religious Moral Formation of Children and Youths and detailed the nexus between education (formal/informal) and religious institutions.

The guest speaker, Kay-Benson Akhigbe II delivered a presentation on The Role of Parents-School Collaboration and the Role of Parents Council and enjoined parents to stand tall in their responsibilities as parents to their children as well as other children in the state.

In his address, Governor Godwin Obaseki thanked the parents for their support in the educational sector reforms and stressed that the responsibility of taking care of the upcoming generation lies in the hands of many. He stated that his administration was not keen on doing it all alone rather he was interested in the involvement of parents in the governance of education.

The highlight of the event was the Inauguration of the Parents Council by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki joined by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe, the parents and other dignitaries present.

The parents were full of praise for the initiative and continued to shower accolades on the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe for her commitment to safeguarding the reforms in the sector and ensuring a better future for the Edo child.

Through this initiative, it is hoped that the inauguration of this council will lead to parent-inclusive decision-making that will create a more transparent education ecosystem.