By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Makurdi
On the occasion of this year’s
International day of Education, which has as it’s theme as; “The Crucial Role Education and Teachers Play in Countering Hate Speech”, the Director General of the Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BEGA), Dr. Terna Francis has declared that private schools will soon become unattractive to parents in Benue state.
The BEQA DG made this statement whilst appearing on the Benue TV talk show; “Benue at Dawn” where he was speaking on the topic: “Educational Reforms in Benue State.
The DG gave a preamble as to the sorry State of Education in Benue State which prompted the current administration of Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia to take concerted and proactive measures to salvage the education sector.
This was more so, with public schools as there seem to be some sort of exodus to private schools who were now in turn exploiting parents whilst still not keeping to the approved standards of operating such institutions.
According to him, on assumption of office, Governor Hyacinth Alia saw the deplorable level of the Benue and as both a quick and long-term fix of the issues, the educational standards within the state needed upgrading.
The governor, therefore, mandated the creation of an agency saddled with the responsibility of re-evaluating educational standards in the state.
He further explained that the Agency is saddled with the recertification of all institutions below tertiary level. This recertification includes gathering data on all matters relating to the curricular, learning environment, school management, quality of educators, learning materials, and motivation for both teachers and learners…
Speaking on the journey so far, the Director General who has taken time to understudy the issues in the educational standards of the state, noticed some unwholesome practices engaged in by some proprietors and managers of both public and private schools which includes misappropriation of both equipment and funds provided by the government to public schools, and worse still, with a general abuse of privilege through exploitation of students.
New Nigerian gathered that records show that both educators and managers of public and private schools have largely been uninspiring in their job of providing development based education. A seeming lackadaisical attitude of nonconformity with standards, as well as a poor work ethics, has summarily led to a general decay in the quality of education in the state.
Taking a cue from the UNESCO theme of this year’s International Day of Education, he affirmed that “…if hatred starts with words, peace starts with education…”
According the Tom Akor, Head, Communication and Strategy the DG’s outing on Benue TV, he immediately proceeded for his routine and daily monitoring exercises at LGEA Pilot Central Nursery and Primary school, UBE Junior secondary school, Holy Ghost Nursery and primary and Government Girls College, all in Makurdi.
