The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Imo State Chapter, has called on the state government to give its members the necessary recognition at all levels for their immeasurable contribution to the development, growth, management and effective sustenance of quality education.
Engr. Jen Udochukwu Wilson, the State President of NAPPS made this call at a seminar/awards ceremony organized by NAPPS Imo Chapter last Wednesday.
He stated that their objective among other things is to ensure that Imo State maintains its leading role in education in Nigeria.
Present during the seminar include Mr Ajero who represented Prof Fabian Osuji (a one time Imo State education Commissioner), Dr (Mrs) Comfort Chukwu, who was former Education Commissioner in Imo State during Governor Ohakim’s tenure, Prof Okorie of Federal University of Technology Owerri who represented Prof Obaji, Mrs Eddy Madu NAPPS President Enugu State and a host of other dignitaries.
In her opening address, the Chairman of the programme, Dr Mrs Comfort Chukwu reminded the participants the importance of education and how education shapes people’s lives by instilling in them great characters and intelligence. She stated the essence of education which according to Plato, implies that education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate and which no despotism can enslave.
Mrs Chukwu recounted that education used to be our most viable industry and that our people can spend anything to procure it.
She however, in commending NAPPS for organizing such a seminar called on Imo people to always have at the back of their mind, “education for whom and for what, after education what next”, as answers to this will help us produce critical thinkers who will provide the missing link between education and job creation (Employment).
The one time Commissioner for Commerce and Industry continued by saying, “In pursuance of the same goal for which we are all gathered here today, you would recall that as commissioner, I organized the first ever education summit in partnership with World Bank, UNDP, NAPPS, other world bodies and interested persons. That initiative was to pave way for the intervention of co-operate organizations, multinational organizations and other world bodies in our education system. It is however unfortunate that the recommendations of that summit are yet to be implemented. I implore the state government to therefore revisit those recommendations”.
“All children should have access to quality education with an equitable system. Schools should be in places were children’s rights especially those of girls are respected, injustice are challenged and lives transformed”.
“Further more, quality education is essential for enabling our country Nigeria achieve the level of economic growth required to tackle poverty and make sustainable development a reality,” Chukwu concluded.
The seminar also witnessed the delivery of key lectures by invited scholars which was centered on helping to promote a better teaching method in our private schools as well as proper management.
The workshop is expected to last for 3 days as lectures continued on Thursday’s and will come to an end today with Awards presented to erudite scholars from and around Imo State.
