Bayelsa set to review its Education Policy for next 15 years

The Bayelsa government on Thursday said it has concluded plans to host an Education Summit, designed to holistically review its education policy for the next 15 years.

The  short-term policy is for five years, medium-term for 10 years while the long-term is for 15 years.

Dr Gentle Emelah, the state Commissioner for Education, who stated this at a press conference in Yenagoa, noted that the review became imperative, given the changing needs of the society.

Emela noted that the Gov. Douye Diri-led administration has prioritised the education sector in the past one year and achieved accreditation of programmes run by all tertiary institutions owned by the state.

He said that Bayelsa operates 547 primary schools, 195 secondary schools and nine tertiary institutions, all funded by the state.

He noted that the state is still in dire need of providing infrastructure to existing schools as well as building new ones even as it focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as priority areas.

He noted that the free education policy at primary and secondary school levels has led to increased enrolment and led to the urgent need to expand existing facilities to guarantee conducive learning environment.

He said that the changing needs of the society in a dynamic knowledge-driven world necessitated the need to evaluate and review the present models of education and its effectiveness in meeting the needs of the society.

“The Bayelsa State Education Summit is scheduled to hold from Monday, Feb. 7 to Thursday, Feb. 19, 2022.

“We have received the acceptance of knowledgeable persons, institutions and organisations to speak, attend and share useful strategies with the state on the development of our educational sector.

“Notable among them is Dr Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who will present the keynote address,” Emelah said.

He lamented that residents near public schools in the state pilfered the plastic chairs and tables provided for students and pupils and compelled them to sit on the floor, adding that the government is addressing the problem.

He added that the state has suspended the procurement of plastic chairs which were prone to breakages and pilfering.

He said that the government is going back to the use of wooden furniture for public schools, adding that such chairs and tables are more durable and can be repaired when broken.