The Executive Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) Assoc. Prof. Hyginus Banko Okibe has described Teachers as an indispensable ally and partners in progress in the full implementation of the government’s education policy programmes in the State.
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Speaking when he received in audience the new Executive Members of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOSPHON) Enugu State wing during a courtesy visit to his Office, Assoc. Prof. Okibe reminded them that as major stakeholders in the basic education sector, they should be more committed, dedicated, and transparent in the discharge of their duties, take special care and interest in the welfare of learners under their care.
The Executive Chairman told the Head Teachers that with the migration to the Smart Green School system of education, it will no longer be business as usual; therefore, they must do the needful, best prepare themselves with the new experiential learning initiative of teaching and learning.
He advised the new Executive of the Association not to distance themselves from the Board, like their predecessors, but to maintain more cordial relationships to be able to interact, communicate, work together, share ideas, and get the first-hand information about the goings on in the establishment and their expected roles.
The ENSUBEB Boss noted with dissatisfaction the attitude of some Head Teachers who conspired with their teachers to cheat the government, by allowing them to come to school any time they like, engage in all manner of illegal activities and truancy, and appealed to them to desist from such acts as they are unacceptable to the Board.
Assoc. Prof. Okibe used the occasion to congratulate the new Executive Members of the Association on their election and for their kind words to him, and assured them that most of their observations and requests, especially on security welfare and other teachers-related issues, are being addressed to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
He told them that he operates an open-door policy and, as such, they are free to meet with him when the need arises to reason together in the best interest of the pupils and the development of the basic education sector in the state.
Earlier in her address, the Chairman of the Association in the state, Mrs Perpetua Ugwu, told the chairman that the visit was to enable them to exchange views, ideas, and information on matters affecting primary education, strengthen their partnership and collaboration with the Board, and pledge their commitment to providing quality education to their pupils.
The chairman, who is also the leader of the delegation, outlined some of the objectives of the status of primary school Head Teachers, to ensure high moral standards, discipline, and service integrity, by members and bargain for their welfare, job security, and improve wages, among others. She also told the chairman some of their challenges, which include that most of their teachers are not computer literate and lack knowledge of ICT, a shortage of teachers in most remote areas, insufficient training and professional development opportunities for teachers, and poor communication between the Head teachers and the education secretaries. Community polices and reforms especially in the rural areas.
Ugwu therefore appealed to the Chairman to help them address those problems/challenges and expressed the hope that their partnership with the Board will yield very positive outcomes for their learners, teachers, and basic education sector in the state.