Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday, said his administration has embarked on massive reconstruction, renovation and remodeling of over 100 schools across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
The Governor said following the commitment and dedication of his administration to change the narrative in the education sector, another set of 120 schools are already earmarked for reconstruction, renovation and remodeling across the State.
He noted that the massive infrastructural development in the education sector marks the commitment of his government to ensuring that Edo children get the best facilities in terms of learning.
Okpebholo said his administration is achieving a lot in the education sector because it keyed into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This is a demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You can see massive work is ongoing across schools in Edo State.
“I have visited several schools this morning and you can see for yourself the massive renovation, reconstruction and remodelling of the schools we have visited. What you have seen on ground is the power of Mr. President, not my power. This is because he has mandated us to do this for our people.
“Edo people are happy. We will continue to do more for the benefit of our people. By the time we will be one or two years in office, Edo State and its people would have experienced a lot of transformation across the State in the education and other sectors.
“This is a thing of joy coming into a school that was abandoned by the previous administration. But today, it is different as our children can come here to learn under a very conducive and peaceful atmosphere,” he said.
Commissioner for Education, Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu, said the infrastructural development of the State by Senator Monday Okpebholo is very interesting.
He noted that working with a Governor who says what he means and means whatever he says is a plus for Edo people, as the Governor’s words are backed by actions.
“Projects are ongoing across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State. Governor Monday Okpebholo is not a man who just makes statements, but he backs it up with actions.
“Construction, renovation, remodeling are going on across several schools in Edo State. The pupils and students are happy. Parents are happy as well as the host communities to have a leader like Governor Okpebholo who knows the way and shows the way.
“Every Edo child is happy knowing that a new Edo Has Risen. We thank the Governor for his magnanimity and for his large heart in ensuring huge infrastructural development in the education sector,” he stated.
On the plans to employ 100 teachers for technical schools across the State, Iyamu said the Governor asked for a needs assessment exercise which was carried out and the report submitted to him, hence the need for the recruitment.
He said: “Governor Okpebholo asked us to go round the three technical colleges to do a needs assessment exercise which was done and we found out that there were not enough teachers. We gave him the report and immediately he gave the approval for the employment of 100 teachers for the three technical schools in the State.
“We will employ teachers based on the needs assessment to meet the desired goals. We have rebuilt the syllabus following the instructions of the Governor who does not want the normal syllabus which was obtainable, but rather a unique syllabus that will put the Edo child in technical schools ahead of his colleagues in other States. The syllabus is being reviewed to fit into present day realities.
“We have the capacity to train children who will come from our technical schools and provide the seats that will be used in our schools across Edo State rather than bringing people from outside the State.”
Chairman of State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Barr. (Mrs.) Onomen Briggs, said the Okpebholo administration has achieved a lot within just 100 days in office.
She joined the Governor and other officials to monitor the construction of schools across Edo State and expressed satisfaction on the infrastructural development in the sector.
“Considering the fact that we are just 100 days in office, Governor Monday Okpebholo has done a lot as many schools across the three Senatorial Districts of the State are undergoing massive construction. Some have been completed, while others are undergoing renovations and are about 70 to 80 per cent completed. Furniture are ready for the classrooms. For 100 days in office, this is a promise kept,” she said.
The schools inspected by Governor Okpebholo in Edo South include Eweka Primary school, Obazagbon; Oroma Primary school, Amagba; and Uyiosa Primary school, Uzebu Quarters, all in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
Others are New Era College at Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area in the State, where construction of blocks of classrooms, offices, toilets, perimeter fences, security post, boreholes among others were ongoing.
