Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Concerned Private Schools Owners in Edo State have appealed to the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki to consider announcing a new date of school resumption to enable them make adequate preparations just as they acknowledged his genuine intention of earlier postponement of resumption date.
The group made the passionate appeal during an enlarged meeting of its members held on Monday, 16th September, 2024, in Benin City, Edo State
They said that in as much as Edo State Government has good intentions in postponing schools resumption, the ripple effect on schools Owners are enormous.
Addressing its members at the meeting, Bishop Emmanuel Elakhe Ohis, Chairman of Coalition of Private Schools said the meeting became necessary due to the pressure and apprehension of members over the delay in resumption of schools for the first term of the 2024/2025 academic session.
He noted that members of Concerned School Owners have expressed fear that any delay in school resumption beyond September 23rd would result in schools losing most of their pupils and students as most parents already feel that the term has been halved and they prefer to wait till next term before their children resume, so it’s cost saving for them.
The Chairman revealed that from his interactions with members, there was great concerns that after 23rd September it would be impossible for teachers to cover the scheme of work for the term due to the Christmas break which cannot be later than 20th December.
Members of the group also lamented that if schools remain closed for a long time, payment of taxes, renewal etc and other prerequisite for clearance for the next enrolment for Middle Basic Assessment (MBA), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and, Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, (SSCE), in December 2024 will pose a big challenge for them due to paucity in resumption and funds.
There was also palpable fear that private schools will lose their teachers due to inability to pay backlog of salaries, adding that some schools run on loans and repayment is based on term and that non resumption and decline in population will put them in a bigger problem.
In addition, the group emphasized that continous keeping of pupils and students at home will lead to increase in social vices.
Elakhe however said that steps have been taken in seeing that the plight of of members gets urgent solutions
“I was privileged to lead some of you to meet with Barr Osarodion Ogie former Secretary to Edo State Government, who himself is a school owner and quite understand our plights but was liberal enough to confide in us of the security threats and challenges presently in the land.
“I also had a fruitful discussion with Dr Okosun, Director Deneral, Directorate of Educational Quality and Accountability, DEQA, who personally assured me that schools will reopen after the election.
“Furthermore I had a WhatsApp communication with our Honourable Commissioner for Education, Honourable Dr. Joan Oviawe, raising the issue of possibility of resuming on the 23rd of September, 2024.
“She immediately swung into action trying to get a confirmation of the actual date of resumption. Truth be told, we know that this is not even the best of times.
Elakhe expressed his displeasure that some association have flouted the government directives by asking their students to be coming to school in mufti from 9: 00am to 1: 00pm and even tried to convince him to encourage others to do same.
“We have genuinely worked as a coalition to ensure full compliance with the directive and to seek the consent of government before encouraging schools to resume.
“The overall objective of the coalition is a harmonious relationship between the Associations and the government”, he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Elder Martins Osakue, a Board of Trustee Chairman of one of the Associations, said they have looked at reasons given by government for the postponement of school resumption, and considers it germane.
He however frowned at government’s approach, and sued for a more collaborative approach when dealing with people, saying it will create a win-win government.
According to him, “The government cannot take panadol for our headache. When they identify a problem, they should discuss with us to know if we see it as a problem. We must be a part of solutions to our problems”, he said.
He however charged the members to be temperate while “we await the response to our appeal”.
The group however agreed to continue to work with the ministry of Education and government at all levels for a safe and hitch-free resumption to ensure the total well-being and development of of the Edo child.