OBINOMBA/Nigeria: The Member representing Ndokwa West State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Charles Emetulu, has urged parents to discourage examination malpractice and the patronage of so-called “special centres,” insisting that children should be encouraged to embrace hard work and earn academic success through merit.
Emetulu made the call during the Teachers/Parents Conference organised by the Chinonye Smile-Care Initiative at St. George’s College, Obinomba, Ukwuani Local Government Area, where education stakeholders converged to deliberate on strategies for revitalising the sector under the theme, “Rebuilding the Fabric of Education for Equitable Living.”
The lawmaker said many students in public schools possess the capacity to excel academically when provided with quality teaching and a conducive learning environment, stressing that improving standards in public education should take precedence over seeking shortcuts to examination success.
Responding to questions on education funding, Emetulu explained that budgetary allocations do not always translate into planned outcomes because implementation often depends on available resources and prevailing government priorities.
He therefore called for sustained collaboration among government, parents, teachers and communities to strengthen the education system and equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
Also speaking at the conference, the Executive Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Council, Hon. C.S. Possible Ajede, PhD, represented by Mr. Augustine Ekeh, described education as the bedrock of every progressive society and called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to reposition the sector.
Ajede said the theme of the conference was timely and relevant, noting that rebuilding the education system is a collective responsibility if the younger generation is to acquire the knowledge, values and skills required to thrive in an ever-changing world.
He highlighted initiatives of his administration aimed at improving education in the council area, including prioritising the welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff, awarding scholarships to Ukwuani students in tertiary institutions, providing learning materials and school uniforms for pupils in public primary schools, and sponsoring the registration of Primary Six placement examinations for pupils in all 32 public primary schools in the local government.
The council chairman also cited the recently introduced ICT and mobile phone repair training programme for youths as part of efforts to equip young people with practical and employable skills.
Ajede commended the convener of the conference, Miss Maureen Chinonye Achugbue, for creating a platform that brings together key stakeholders to examine practical solutions to the challenges facing the education sector.
Representing the Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogu, Dr. Michael Emeshili described the conference as a significant milestone for education in Ukwuani, dismissing the notion that “education is a scam” as a product of ignorance.
According to him, education remains the surest pathway to personal growth, national development and societal progress.
Earlier, the convener, Miss Maureen Chinonye Achugbue, said the conference was designed to engage young people in self-discovery and character building while promoting dialogue among stakeholders on restoring the core values of education.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Ndokwa Elders Forum, which advocated the introduction of graded community service into the school curriculum from primary to tertiary institutions to instill civic responsibility, and the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Delta State Branch, which urged parents to reinforce moral and spiritual values while encouraging students to remain committed to their studies.
The President of the Ndokwa Women’s Association, Ukwuani Branch, Mrs. Inyama Adaeze Doris, also highlighted the crucial role of mothers in the educational development of children and called on government, fathers and schools to strengthen support for mothers as key partners in education.
The conference concluded with participants expressing a renewed commitment to work together in rebuilding the educational system in Ukwuani Local Government Area through stronger collaboration, improved teaching standards and sustained investment in the sector.
