In a bid to ensure the sustainability of educational advancements in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has called on parents and traditional rulers to actively participate in the state’s educational initiatives.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 1,000-member Parents’ Council during the Parents’ Summit, part of the Education Week in Benin City, Governor Obaseki emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining the progress made by his administration.
Governor Obaseki noted that real sustainability comes when citizens demand proper and right actions.
He reiterated the significance of the Parents’ Summit as a platform for parents, educators, policy makers, and community leaders to discuss and address challenges and opportunities related to the development of children.
He said, “This Parents’ Summit is important and can’t be over emphasized because the actions, decisions and choices which we make today will greatly impact the lives and shape the future of our children.
“This gathering will provide a perfect umbrella for bringing parents, guardians, educators, policy makers, leaders and other stakeholders in the education ecosystem together to discuss various challenges and opportunities related to parenting and the development of our children not only for today but also in the future.”
Governor Obaseki underscored the pivotal role of children as the future of Edo State and Nigeria, stressing the need for substantial investments in human capital development.
He pointed to the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme as a cornerstone of his administration’s educational reforms, which has elevated Edo to the best-performing state in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
The governor also emphasized the importance of community governance in the school system, which includes the establishment of school-based management committees, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and alumni associations. He called on parents and traditional rulers to play an active role in sustaining the educational achievements of the past eight years.
“For sustainability of what we have created, we want to establish the right structures. That’s why I am here today to formally inaugurate the Parents’ Councils of schools in Edo State to further emphasize the role of parents and parents’ participation in our educational system.”
He added, “I congratulate the 1,000 parents who are representatives of the Parents’ Council. As we inaugurate this Parents’ Council today, I believe these parents will lead and advocate for quality education and should be champions of their welfare and ambassadors of good parenting.”
In his keynote address titled “Parents, School and Education,” Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, praised Governor Obaseki for fostering excellence in education and establishing the Parents’ Council.
He noted that the governor’s efforts have significantly improved the quality of public schools, making them competitive with private institutions.
On his part, Cardinal Onaiyekan echoed the governor’s sentiments, acknowledging the substantial improvements in Edo’s public schools and calling for a broader forum to discuss the funding of Nigeria’s educational system.
In her welcome address, Osaigbovo Melody, a primary three pupil from Obaseki Primary School, expressed gratitude to the governor for the EdoBEST programme, noting its positive impact on the learning and reading abilities of Edo children.