By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The commissioner for Education, Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi has stated that Ebonyi state ranks second in youth literacy nationwide.
Commissioner Nwobasi made this known while interacting with journalists in his office in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.
He attributed the achievement to the implementation of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s Charter of Needs, which prioritizes education as a cornerstone of development.
“Ebonyi State is number two as far as youth literacy is concerned. Ebonyians have shown doggedness in advancing education,” he said. “Most of our youths can fluently read and write English. The sky is the limit for us in ensuring that education remains a priority in our state.”
Prof. Nwobasi encouraged parents and guardians to prioritize their children’s education over activities like hawking, which could disrupt their academic pursuits. “Parents and guardians should utilize the hours children spend hawking for meaningful learning at home. Teachers alone cannot do it all,” he emphasized.
The Commissioner also highlighted key initiatives that contributed to the state’s educational progress in 2024, such as the renovation of school buildings, employment of over 1,000 teachers, building of unity schools across the state and digital registration systems.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Commissioner outlined plans for training and retraining teachers in batches to improve teaching standards and productivity. The ministry has also purchased vehicles to enhance school supervision and plans to accommodate teachers to live near schools to reduce commuting stress and safeguard school properties.
“We want to ensure that teachers live closer to schools to reduce travel stress and safeguard school properties. Additionally, we are committed to continuous teacher training to meet global standards,” he noted.
Prof. Nwobasi urged Ebonyians to maintain their unwavering support for education, maintaining that literacy is pivotal to the state’s growth.