News Investigators/ The Ondo State Government says it will continue to align with the Federal Ministry of Education on its educational policy reforms in pursuing quality and accessible education for all.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed this on Monday in Akure during the opening of the 69th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting.
The theme of the 5-day summit was “Quality Education, Data and Professionalisation of Teaching: A Tool for Enhanced National Development”.
Mr Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Mr Olayide Adelami, said the state recorded significant strides in reshaping its educational landscape in line with the seven-point agenda named “OUR EASE”.
The governor said the policy aligned with the resolutions of the NCE and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education.
According to him, the state recognises the centrality of education in sustainable development.
“This has been the driving force propelling policy reforms and implementation in the education sector of the state.
“Efforts have been directed at enhancing access and quality of education in Ondo State.
“Such efforts include, but not limited to investment in digital education infrastructure, such as gradual introduction of smart classrooms, digital literacy programmes and technology-based learning tools.
“This will prepare our learners for the demands of the 21st-century knowledge economy.
“The theme of the meeting is coming at the right time, as it will address Nigeria’s contemporary challenges facing the education system,” he said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Abel Enitan, said the effectiveness of any educational system was also determined by the quality of data.
“This informs policy decisions and the professional competence of teachers who deliver learning outcomes.
“Both quality education data and professionnalisation of teachers are indispensable tools for achieving measurable and sustainable progress in our education sector.
“Without accurate, timely, and reliable data, policy decisions risk being driven by assumptions rather than evidence.
“Similarly, without a committed, well-trained, and adequately motivated teaching workforce, even the best policies will yield limited results,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education has continued to invest in digital data systems.
Enitan, therefore, urged all delegates to engage actively in the deliberations, share innovations from their respective states, and collectively develop actionable resolutions that would further strengthen the sector.
“Every resolution of the council carries the weight of national responsibility, because policies are conceived, tested, and approved for nationwide implementation through the council,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Akindele Ige, Administrative Secretary, state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, lauded Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering commitment to educational advancement.
Ige said the present administration continued to prioritise education as the cornerstone of sustainable growth and human capital development.
According to him, the meeting will advance the cause of education in the country and strengthen collaboration between the Federal and State Ministries of Education.
“The meeting will, no doubt, help shape policy directions and practical strategies which will transform the education sector at all levels.
He urged all participants to reaffirm their commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive education systems for national transformation and sustainable prosperity.
NAN
