Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has said the feat achieved in the education sector is the most important achievement of his government in two years stressing that the feat is more important than the construction of flyover, Oja Oba or any other project his administration has embarked upon since assuming office in 2014.
The governor said this on Friday during an interface with members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ekiti State Chapter within the government house premises. The session was organized for the purpose of promoting and sustaining the feat achieved in the education sector in governor Fayose's two years in office.
The governor in his address said his administration will end in the midst of nowhere as far as education is concerned if he does not carry along the association since growth and sustainability of the achievements in the education sector is a function of the efforts of private and public administrators.
"For me, Ekiti coming first in NECO is a thing of joy, it is over and above construction of flyover because we are building characters, we are building leaders of tomorrow, people that will come and do a better flyover when most of us are gone, education is more than flyover in my heart.
"Our originality is Fountain of Knowledge, when you change your name, a lot of things change with you, our name was changed at a point, education too changed. Whatever you answer may eventually inform what you become. We are known as Fountain of Knowledge, this, beyond other interests must be sustained", governor Fayose said.
Mr. Fayose urged the proprietors to inculcate good hygiene habits in their pupils saying education given must be practiced in area of healthy living adding that doing this will guide against water borne diseases. In his effort to support and encourage NAPPS, governor Fayose however announced the donation of a brand new bus to the association.
The governor advised the association to imbibe the culture of employing professional teachers and not quacks who ventured into teaching just to earn a living adding that it is necessary to put tomorrow first. He urged the association to participate actively in happenings around the state within their field adding that NAPPS must be strengthened enough such that it can enforce discipline on erring members. "Let's learn from other unions, let's be firm, I implore you to strengthen your union over and above you, God wasn't stupid when he made his word bigger and stronger than his name", he said.
Ekiti State NAPPS president, Alhaji Saka Adeleye in his speech appreciated the governor for the recognition given the association. He promised NAPPS' continued support and partnership at achieving more success emphasizing the position of the association as an important stakeholder in the education sector. He promised that NAPPS will help in sustaining the glory gotten by the Fayose administration through hard work and dedication to duty in line with dignity and integrity that Ekiti people are known for.
Alhaji Adeleye appealed to NAPPS members to build standard in schools by upgrading their schools to levels that is befitting enough to earn the state government's desired laurels. He also asked that stakeholders support NAPPS with the promise that the association will henceforth tow the part of peace and continuous dialogue with the government.
"We seek the cooperation of those at the helm of education affairs in Ekiti, the deputy governor, the honorable commissioner, the director of schools, we don't want to war war with government anymore, we want to jaw jaw. We'll cooperate maximally with the government", Adeleye said.
Alhaji Saka Adeleye also asked for an interregnum in the payment of development levies, he also asked that teachers in private schools be allowed to participate in screening exercise being conducted in respect of 2016 teacher's day without necessarily having the Teachers' Registration Council certificate. He asked that the government fast track the process involved in collection of primary school leaving certificate(PSLC).
Governor Fayose in his response explained that it's going to be a new beginning with the association now that they are on the same page. He said he has discussed with the commissioner for education and has been informed that the PSLC is ready for collection. He directed that encumbrances be vacated to ensure proprietors have timely access to it.
On the Teachers Registration Certificate, the governor admonished the association not to pressurize the government into bending rules and compromising standards urging them to fulfill all righteousness. He said: "you are teachers and you must sustain the truth, a lot of proprietors are not teachers, you must sustain the truth, a lot of proprietors, they are only business people, the actual teachers must promote the ideals of the profession. I beg and appeal to you, the TRC certificate is a must, since the days of yore. Go and get it, if you have it and they don't give you the right of passage, I will take it up and fight for you. I have directed that two amongst you be accommodated in the 2016 Teachers' Day contest".
Commenting on the brand new bus he promised the association, governor Fayose said the bus will be presented to them on 12th of October which happens to be the 2016 NAPPS day.
On development levy, the governor said there is no going back since it's for the development of the state. "Don't ask for favours that will hamper our development, I won't go to Afao with your money, I must spend this levies back on education if I want this impressive performance to continue. Please don't tie the hands of government with demands you know cannot be met", he said.
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