WIKE meets Unity Schools Principals, launches science tools

The Supervising Minister of Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has recently met with the Principals of Federal Government Colleges at the Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja as part of government’s efforts to improve the learning environments of Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria. 

While interacting with the Principals to ascertain their areas of need, the Education Minister requested them to submit within four days to his office, a list of the study materials required in such areas as Chemistry, Physics and Biology laboratories (for the conventional schools), adding that the Principals of Technical Colleges should submit the names of two departments for swift equipment upgrade.

Speaking further, he informed them about the initiative of government towards improving manpower in the teaching cadre in schools. He also noted that aside from having to absorb qualified PTA teachers into the federal service, one thousand teachers in core subject areas would soon be employed, in addition to the one thousand already engaged and waiting for deployment.

In the highlight of the occasion, Ezenwo Wike unveiled and presented some tool boxes procured for the Federal Science and Technical Colleges. During the unveiling process, the Minister remarked that the procurement of the tools for the schools was in accord with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who places priority on the development of technical and vocational education as well as training.

He inferred that the Ministry in pursuit of the Transformation Agenda has procured the tool boxes in order to enhance the teaching and learning of practical subjects, noting that it is one problem solved for learners. “To be globally competitive and confident, it is important for your students to be well equipped with innovative skills in technology and entrepreneurship education,” he said.

Wike enjoined the Principals to ensure that their students acquire the skills that will enable them to be job creators instead of job seekers, saying whatever Government provides for their institutions should be judiciously used for the education of the students and the progress of the nation.

In his address at the occasion, the Director in the Department of Technology and Science Education, Michael Kalu Ofor said that providing the tool boxes is part of the efforts to promote technical and vocational education and training geared towards skill acquisition.
He further disclosed that to arouse innovativeness among students, a plan has been put in place by the department to organize annual National Students Vocational Skills Competitions among federal science and technical colleges.