By Christian ABURIME
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has lauded the invaluable contributions of teachers to society, emphasizing their critical role in shaping the future of education in Anambra State.
Speaking at Alex Ekwueme, during this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebrating educators, Governor Soludo urged appreciation for teachers worldwide, highlighting particularly the efforts of teachers in Anambra.
“Everyone was brought up by a teacher,” Soludo remarked, expressing gratitude for the dedication and hard work of educators. “You are doing a fantastic job, and I want to highlight that basic statistics show Anambra is leading in many educational metrics.”
The governor underscored that “there is no educational system without the teachers,” declaring that the future of a society is intrinsically linked to the quality of its teachers and the quality of teaching they provide.
The Governor stated that in order to combat historical neglect of the education sector, his government successfully recruited 8,115 teachers through a competitive process that drew applicants from 18 states across Nigeria. “Literacy and numeracy have improved by over 40 percent, and enrollment rates have surged since we took office,” he stated, reflecting on the progress made under his administration.
Governor Soludo acknowledged the challenges the state faced when he assumed leadership. “When we came, we discovered that public education was completely neglected and abandoned,” he remarked, with a vow to restore the sector to its rightful place.
To sustain this momentum, the governor revealed plans to recruit even more teachers soon, ensuring that Anambra continues to enhance its educational landscape. “We will announce the recruitment of more teachers soon,” he affirmed, signaling ongoing commitment to improving education.
As the governor’s message reverberates through the state, the focus on bolstering the teaching force is seen as a critical step toward elevating educational standards and securing a brighter future for the children of Anambra.
Also, at the event, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngọzi Chuma-Udeh addressed attendees, acknowledging the significant influence educators have on the people. “These are the parents whose lives you have positively touched,” she stated, recognizing the vital role that teachers play in shaping the community’s future.
Prof. Chuma-Udeh also expressed her commitment to promoting the ongoing efforts of the state government. “We will continue to declare the good works of the Governor,” she affirmed, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of education and supporting the needs of families in Anambra.
Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), along with the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi highlighted the significant achievements made by the Governor in the education sector over the past three and a half years, while assuring continued support for ongoing initiatives.
They noted that under the current administration, the class sizes have surged to 70 students or more, largely attributed to the implementation of free education policies.
The event was also used by a group called The Patriots and Association of People Living with Disabilities, to endorse the Governor and his Deputy for a second term in office.