By Osobase A. Oseremen
The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Washington Osifo, has commenced inspection of schools across the Benin metropolis to assess compliance with the state government’s resumption directive for the new academic session.
Osifo, who led a team of officials from the Ministry of Education on the inspection tour, visited schools across Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas to monitor the level of preparedness and attendance among teachers and learners.
The schools visited included Emotan College, Ihogbe Secondary School, Evbareke Secondary School, Olua Primary School and St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School.
At the various schools, the Commissioner was received by principals and teachers, who were found at their duty posts. The school environments were also observed to be neat, orderly and conducive to learning, while pupils and students were seen in their classrooms receiving lessons.
At Olua Primary School, the Commissioner was warmly received by pupils of Evbareke Junior Secondary School, who are temporarily using the premises while renovation work is ongoing at their school.
Osifo commended the students for their discipline and decorum and presented a school bag to Miss Aguna Deborah in recognition of her respectful conduct and proper greeting of the Commissioner.
Speaking after the inspection, Osifo expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance recorded across the schools visited.
He urged teachers to place greater emphasis on character development and moral instruction, stressing that education should go beyond academic achievement to include the development of responsible and well-behaved citizens.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, to the welfare of teachers and learners, as well as the provision of the necessary support and facilities to improve teaching and learning across the state.
The principals and teachers of the schools visited expressed appreciation for the Commissioner’s visit, describing it as an indication of the government’s commitment to monitoring activities in schools.
At St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, the Principal, Mrs. Abu Osagie, who took the Commissioner round the classrooms, thanked him and members of his team for the visit.
She assured the Commissioner that teachers in the school were fully prepared and committed to delivering quality instruction to the students throughout the academic session.
The Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere; directors and senior officials of the ministry; Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs); and members of the press, including Joseph Aguele, popularly known as Don-General of Independent Television and Radio (ITV).
