The Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, has promised to give priority to primary and secondary education by catching the students young in addition to free quality education.
Ikonne who made the statement while interacting with newsmen at his Umuahia residence observed the preponderance of private schools ,mostly substandard ,at the disadvantage of public schools. Noting that students feel more attracted to private schools than the public schools for reasons ranging from access to exam malpractice , poor motivation of staff and lack of, or inadequate supervision. Stressing that “Abia state do not just need free education in primary and secondary schools but quality education”that will enhance the overall development of the student. Noting that the incumbent governor has robustly given attention to the sector through its free education policy and improved infrastructure aided by the UBE interventions, but decried the continuous flight of students from the public to private schools . He therefore pledged to critically look into the causative factors for the dwindling quality of public schools with a view to mitigate them and boost the population,maintaining that quality education remains the pivot of all facets of development.
While explaining his education policy, when elected governor , Professor Ikonne who is a seasoned academia and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Absu equally informed that he will equip the schools with relevant technology tools that will enhance knowledge, as well as give adequate incentives and sufficient motivation to encourage the teachers and other essential staff. Stating that quality education is key to the development of any nation hence his comittement to improve the standard of education from what is already in existence to a more enviable height.
On his plans to sustain the quality assurance of the education sector in Abia state , Prof Ikonne added that he will intensify supervision in schools and colleges to ensure compliance of laid down rules pointing that he will use the services of some locals like the traditional rulers, youth leaders, councillors, in addition to the education supervisors, to enforce compliance.
Professor Eleazar Uche Ikonne who emerged the PDP governorship flag bearer, in the keenly contested pdp party primaries , with an overwhelming 438 votes against his opponents, has continued to receive wide spread commendations and endorsements from various groups and people of Abia state.
