The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, IION, on Monday says the dream for the state to be among the topmost States in education in the country will soon be achieved.
Hon. Jones urged education stakeholders to embrace the newly inaugurated School Adoption and Mentorship Programme in the state to make the partnership work of achieving the topmost state in education realizable.
The Commissioner made the call at the opening ceremony of the ”General Book Review Activities”, of the ministry; a quinquennial event to review textbooks to be recommended for schools in the state.
Jones stressed that the School Adoption and Mentorship Programme of the Ministry was aimed at improving the standard of secondary school education as well as learners’ performance.
He noted that the book was last reviewed in March 2017 in the state, and another was due this year to help the ministry choose textbooks for schools in the state.
He added that this year’s review had been modified and more value added, hence the need to formalised the review.
He said that His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello has given topmost priority to the education sector and that was why 30 per cent of 2022 annual budget was being allocated to the sectore, higher than the UNUSECO benchmark of 26 per cent.
He, therefore, urged the stakeholders to reciprocae the gesture of the magnanimity of His Excellency, to taking education to the next enviable level.
”The need for book review cannot be overemphasized as it helps writers, authors and publishers view from the perspective of relevance and suitability to the learners’ curriculum.
”Textbooks and other instructional materials provide organised unit of work for teachers and learners and are excellent teaching and learning experiences.
He urged the participants to contribute meaningfully for the success of the exercise of the book review.
He noted that the effective book review by relevant stakeholders had helped the state to move from 28th position in WEAC rating to 14th position among the 36 States of the federation and FCT.
The commissioner reiterated the need for the stakeholders to key into the School Adoption and Mentorship Programme to help restore the glory of education in the state.
”We urge you to be fully part of the exercise in bringing back the glory of education in Kogi State.
”We believed with your partnership, the dream for the state to be among the topmost States in education in the country will be achieved”, he said.
Earlier, the Director, Quality Assurance of the ministry, Hajia Sherifat Yusuf, noted that the last review of textbooks done five years ago was a remarkable progress in the educational sector of the state.
She commended the participants for making a great decision to be part of the historic occasion today, and enjoined them participate actively towards making another history.
Speaking, the Kogi State Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, and the representative of Emmog Universal Enterprise Limited Lokoja, Mr Emmanuel Shaibu, expressed satisfaction with the review.
Shaibu said the review would enable the introduction of books that are relevant to education in the present day.
Similarly, Sunday Ekele Joseph, Representatives of Evans Brothers Publishing Limited, lauded the Ministry for consistently making the five years period to review books as commendable, urged for the inclusion of books that encourages technology and discourages anti social vices.
Also Ogundipe Oladapo, urged for the inclusion of books that will be relevant but with less cost implications, said books that would encourage reading ability and discourage antisocial vices are books for the times and seasons.
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