THE MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will improve access to quality education in public schools across the territory.
Wike made the promise on Thursday, at the School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada, while inaugurating the rehabilitation and construction of 19 public secondary schools in the FCT.
He explained that the move was part of Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve access to quality education in public schools, in addition to the ongoing provision of infrastructure and other basic services to residents.
“I want to assure the students that it is not only access to education, because if we give access to education without quality, then we have not given education.
ALSO READ:
Governor Alia Suspends Mining Activities In Benue
Benue Assembly Asks Gov Alia To Unfreeze State’s Bank Accounts
UK, Taking Medicines For Russia’s Headache; By Owei Lakemfa
“Now we are providing access, we must also provide quality and the quality entails that the environment must be conducive, dining must be habitable, the hostels, including where you take care of yourselves. This is very important.
“So, be assured that we will do our best. We are looking into teachers too; how we are going to provide quality teachers to teach our children. This is the essence of the “Renewed Hope” agenda, under the government of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
The minister explained that the rehabilitation of the 19 schools would be funded under the 2023 supplementary budget.
He added that a provision was equally made in the 2024 budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of additional 20 schools.
He commended the Senate for passing the 2024 FCT Statutory Budget, which he said would enable the FCTA to commence work in earnest.
Wike also said that the FCT Administration would intervene in the health sector, particularly the rehabilitation of hospitals, with General Hospital Gwagwalada as one of the benefiting facilities.
He assured the contractors handling the 19 schools across the FCT that none of them would be owed, adding that he had already signed for the payment of their mobilisation.
Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of public schools was a sure step towards building critical manpower for the nation.
Mahmoud described education as the key foundation for sustainable growth and development of any nation, stressing the need to invest hugely in the education sector.
“We know that education is the bedrock of development of any nation and is also the cornerstone of progress.
“Children are special gifts from the Almighty to us; they are the leaders of tomorrow and the ambassadors of the nation, so they will need a conducive and very suitable place to learn, for them to achieve their dreams,” she said.
The Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Danlami Hayyo, said that the projects involved the rehabilitation and construction of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and administrative blocks.
ALSO READ:
CDD Condemns Delta, Bayelsa Killings, Demands Independent Investigations
Transparency, Research, Innovation Driving NNPC’s Transformation – Ogunleye
My Husband Is A Chronic Womaniser, Housewife Tells Court
Bill To Regulate Igbo Apprenticeship System In Anambra Passes Second Reading
Others, Hayyo added, include construction of perimeter fences, toilets, dining, halls, kitchens and supply of water facilities among other facilities. (NAN)
Scholarship to indigent students
Meanwhile Mr Wike has approved N280.3 million for the payment of scholarships to 13,946 indigent students at all levels of education in the FCT.
This was disclosed by Dr Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCT Administration on Thursday in Gwagwalada, during the inauguration of the accelerated rehabilitation of 19 public schools across FCT.
The inauguration took place at the School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.
Hayyo explained that the amount was for both new and existing indigent beneficiaries in different schools and at different levels of learning.
This, according to him, “is to ensure that no child is left behind”, adding that besides scholarships and public schools’ rehabilitation, the minister had equally resuscitated the school sports festival, abandoned 25 years back.
On the school rehabilitation, the mandate secretary said that the goal was to enhance the learning environment and promote educational excellence.
He added that the move was also to ensure that students and teachers have access to quality facilities needed for quality education delivery.
According to him, the measures are evidence of the minister’s commitment to the total development of the future leaders.
“This is a testament to the minister’s dedication to providing an environment that is conducive to learning; one that nurtures the dreams and aspirations of young ones. It is about laying a foundation for a brighter future for our children,” Hayyo said.
He added: “We are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that every child in the FCT has access to quality education; to a safe and stimulating learning environment, where they can grow, thrive and transform into the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Let us, therefore, reflect on the importance of our mission; let us be inspired by the potential impact of our collective efforts.
“Let us look forward to the successful completion of the project as we continue to work hand in hand towards a brighter and more prosperous future for the federal capital territory”. (NAN)
