Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Dr. Eric Odo, has inaugurated a committee to reposition public schools and put an end to the problem of out-of-school children in the local government area.
While inaugurating the committee, the chairman threatened to arrest parents, who send their children to hawk instead of going to school, saying his administration would ban hawking in the LGA during school hours.
The inauguration of the Public School Supervision Committee (PSSC) headed by Dr. Amadi Aroh (Ph.D.), took place at the Council Headquarters in Ogbede on Monday November 25.
He charged the PSSC to ensure that out-of-school children are enrolled back to school, adding that the LGA would provide everything, including school uniforms, bags and sandals, needed to achieve it.
Odo noted that there was no reason for any child not to be in school, and tasked the committee to ensure the return of public schools to their former position.
“I urge you to do everything possible to return public schools to what it was before and also populate classrooms with children at home,” he said.
He urged them to ensure that teachers in public primary schools teach the pupils with the government approved curriculum, to ensure quality learning in schools.
“Out-of-school children must go back to school and public school must return to what it was before.
“We will treat any sick child and provide one meal per day for the pupils, if need be.
“We are planning to ban hawking, and any parent who refuses to send his or her children to school will be arrested and jailed.
“I want the PSSC to reposition primary education in Igbo-Etiti and we will provide operational vehicle to enable you succeed. You have no reason to fail.
“I expected the Committee to submit weekly report on the schools visited as well as observation made, including punishment for teachers who failed in their duties,” Odo said.
The council boss further asked the PSSC to fish out, what he described as mushroom private schools, where unqualified persons destroy, instead of nurturing young minds.
According to him, his administration would not only close down the schools but would also arrest the proprietors of such schools.
Speaking on behalf of others, the PSSC chairman, Dr. Amadi Aroh, commended the council boss for demonstrating leadership by setting up the committee to reposition public schools in the LGA.
Aroh promised that they would deliver on the mandate, adding that they will do the work passionately as required.
