By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Government has been urged to establish more colleges of education across the country for the training of more teachers to address the fallen standard of education in Nigeria.
The former member of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, Mrs Ekaette Okon made the call while reacting to the national award won by her school, Kings and Queens Montessori, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Decrying the quality of education in Nigeria, She insisted that teacher training remained important as the quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers’ education.
Okon a retired principal and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Education, explained that departments of education in the universities cannot offer what colleges of education are giving in terms of training.
She maintained that what the colleges of education are doing universities cannot do in terms of principles and methodology of education.
Akwa Ibom state government, Ebong advised should build more colleges of education despite a recent policy by the state government to upgrade the only college in the state to a degree-awarding institution.
She praised the government for doing well in infrastructural development of schools in the stated and asked that the government should give more attention to human capital development, teaching aids and resources.
The state, Ebong continued, should give more attention to Science, Technology and Mathematics, STEM, by providing equipment.
Ebong suggested that teachers in rural areas should earn more than those in the urban areas as part of the motivation to encourage more teachers to stay in the remotest part of the state.
On the award won by her school, Ebong explained that her Kings and Queens emerged as a first runner up in Presidential Teachers/School Award for 2019.
The award, which was presented to the school at a ceremony in Abuja on October 5, 2019, was organized by the presidency in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of education to check compliance with quality assurance in the school system, both public and private.
According to her, when she set up the school 28 years ago, with six pupils, it was not intended to win awards or compete with other schools, and expressed gratitude that someone, somewhere is appreciating their efforts.
“It means a great deal. I am overwhelmed. I feel excited. Somebody has appreciated the efforts we have put in I am fulfilled in my ministry as a teacher.” She said.
She observed that the quality of education Nigeria is offering is the type that the British left behind. She pointed out that setting up a private school should not be seen as a money-making venture but public service and a contribution to human development.
Ebong praised the Akwa Ibom State government for taking the right steps to close down schools that did not meet the stipulated standards and requirements.
