Baskadia

By Beatrice Akpala

His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, has constituted a Special Committee to scrutinize all the extant reforms presently in operation in the education system in Cross River State.

While inaugurating the 15 Member Special Committee which has 2 weeks to complete and submit its report, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Adi Odey, urged all the members to discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour, ill will and affection.

He disclosed that His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, has showcased so much confidence in the committee members and therefore expects it to be thorough, patriotic and not to be carried away or give credence to undue influences, as the entire education system in Cross River State is at stake.

The Education Commissioner noted that education is dynamic and new reforms and innovations must be embraced for optimum productivity and better system of administration.

He equally added that witnessing the perceived odds going on in the system and looking the other way, is not in line with the personality profile of His Excellency, the Governor, hence, the urgent need to set up the Committee to put things in their proper perspective.

Furthermore, Senator Odey noted that the formation of the Committee became necessary, following the petition by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), on the many reforms being introduced in the education sector in the State, aimed at strengthening and reforming the sector.

The Honourable Commissioner condemned in strong terms, the antics of the beneficiaries of the rot in the posting of principals whereby the cardinal considerations of experience, seniority and hard work are jettisoned for the benefit of the highest bidders on the strength of student enrollment and who, in most cases, are less experienced.

He also voiced strongly against the ugly trend of ignoring due process and the very unacceptable marketing of principal's position, which undermines the core prerequisites and the competence of those who should be actually appointed.

He reminded members of the Special Committee of the fact that every organization has its rules and many regulations, which should ordinarily be followed to the letter, without undermining anything or anybody's position.

The Commissioner for Education enumerated the Terms of Reference of the Committee to include; inquiring into the tenureship policy of headship of tertiary institutions and federal unity schools and whether or not, it can ensure harmony in the system, determining whether the adoption of the elongation of the service years for teachers from 35-40 years or 60-65 years of age, was done through a law enacted by the Cross River State House of Assembly or through an Administrative Circular by the State Government. The Committee is also expected to establish whether or not, the policy of headship of schools has any infringement on the Civil Service Rules and inquiring into the collection of fees and levies charged by school principals and the legitimacy of such collection.

Senator Stephen Adi Odey congratulated all members of the Committee and wished them well in carrying out their asssignment.

The Chairman of the Committee and Head of Service of Cross River State, Dr. Innocent Eteng, while speaking on behalf of the Committee, assured that the Committee will live up to expectations and make useful contributions to the education sector in Cross River State.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of the National Parents Teachers Association, Prof. Boniface Odey, said that the Committee is very important and its success will be pivotal to the Education sector of Cross River State.

Published by ETTAH EMMANUEL O.

#NaijaBlaseTv

For your news, events promotion and brand promotions. Contact us: +2348161558880