Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed its strong will and commitment to advancing quality education by throwing its full weight behind the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission in the implementation of strategic basic education reforms, a move aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving learning outcomes and accelerating sustainable development across the state.
This was made known on Tuesday, March 3, by the Commissioner of Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, who represented the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pst Umo Eno at the commencement of a three-day Sensitization Workshop on the HOPE–Education and HOPE–Governance Programme in Uyo.
The initiative is part of a $1.5 billion national investment in human capital, with over $500 million specifically earmarked for education.
Participants include Commissioners for Education, Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), Heads of Key Implementing Departments, and development partners from across the federation.
Prof. Umoh commended the Governor, for his deliberate and strategic efforts to reposition the education sector through the ARISE Agenda, describing the initiative as a transformative roadmap driving sustainable improvements in the state’s education system.
He added that the Governor, few weeks ago, constituted a technical committee to drive the effective implementation of the programme in the state.
The committee, is tasked with coordinating the various components of the reform to ensure a clear, strategic and forward looking vision for education development in line with the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The Commissioner assured the HOPE-EDU and HOPE-GOVERNANCE initiative
delegates of the Akwa Ibom government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the initiative, pledging that the state Government will play its part diligently to guarantee the success for the benefit of future generations.
Also, the Commissioner noted that Governor Umo Eno has significantly elevated the educational system in Akwa Ibom State through the establishment of model schools aimed at expanding access to quality education, as well as the provision of essential learning materials, recruitment of highly qualified teachers and the development of well equipped classrooms and modern laboratories to create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
Akwa Ibom State Universal Education Board Chairman, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, further reaffirmed the State’s readiness to collaborate fully with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure the seamless execution of the programme and the overall advancement of basic education in the state.
The SUBEB Chairman urged the attendees to fully embrace the HOPE-EDU programme as a transformative platform for strengthening basic education delivery, emphasizing the need for collaboration, accountability and commitment at all levels.
He encouraged education stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of policies, proper utilization of funds and improved monitoring mechanisms to guarantee better learning outcomes for pupils.
Dr. Akila Razak, representing the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, observing that the nation has high out-of school children, noted that the programme is not an abstract goal but an actionable imperative in the educational system.
He emphasized that the nation’s education basic sector faces stark realities like over 10 million out-of school children, overcrowded classrooms and resource disparities that undermine equity, assuring HOPE-EDU is the turning point.
The three days HOPE-EDU sensitization workshop draws a diverse and influential group of participants from the education sector across the country.
Attendees include state and local government education officials, SUBEB staff, headteachers,education coordinators, alongside representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC.
