The Akwa Ibom state government has commended the Village Head of Ikot Ekpene village, Etteidung Edet Okon, for exhibiting vigilance and patriotism, resulting in the apprehension of culprits who attempted to vandalize facilities at the Government School, Anwa Udo Akai, in Ikot Ekpene local Government Area.
The government has charged stakeholders and leaders across the state to take extra measures to support Government’s investments in the sector, since the duty of safeguarding amenities in their respective communities.
At an event organized by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education for the distribution of free ARISE branded exercise books for pupils in all public primary schools in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district at Methodist Central School, Anwa Udokai, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, reiterated Governor Umo Eno’s intolerance to illegal charges by head teachers of public schools.
Addressing a gathering of head teachers and school administrators, the Commissioner for Education represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mrs. Stella Etukakpan, pleaded with the various head teachers and administrators to comply with the instructions given and avoid placing levies on the notebooks or for any other purpose.
She stated ”Do not levy your pupils, If you are caught you will not only refund the money but you will be disciplined in line with the public service rules. The Government wants these books to reach the intended children for effective learning”.
“I also want to admonish all head teachers to report early for school. When you are the head teacher and you go to school late your teachers will be late which is not in line with the Governor’s plan for Education”.
The Permanent Secretary further commended the village head of Ikot Ekpene, Etteidung Okon for safeguarding the Methodist central school against hoodlums who came to destroy the school facilities.
Earlier the village head had stated” We previously apprehended thugs who came to vandalize the school and got them appropriately handed over to the police.
Etteidung Okon expressed his confidence in the Governor to deliver more incredible projects to Ikot Ekpene, and added that the school needs a fence in order to stop hoodlums from accessing and vandalizing school properties.
Also Speaking, the Dean college of Ward Personal Aides to the Governor, Mr Aniefiok Udo James
promised the support of all his colleagues to work with all head teachers and administrators to deliver on the assignment of getting the books to all pupils as intended by the Governor.
Speaking, the head teacher of St Anne’s catholic school Elder Sunday Timothy Inwang was full of praises to God for blessing the state with a Governor like Pastor Umo Eno.
He stated “what the Governor has done we have not seen before. I’m really grateful to be a teacher under this administration because we have experienced what we haven’t experienced before”.
“The distribution of these exercise books will attract so many pupils to come to school as this was a major hindrance to students before now”.
