Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi taking a salute from pupils of Police Childrens School, Ado-Ekiti, during the 2012 Childrens Day Celebration in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has assured Teachers in the service of the State Government that the proposed Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) is not to lay off any of them but designed to enhance the capacity of the teachers and ensure improved teaching quality.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the 2012 Children’s Day celebration on Sunday, the Governor said the assessment which was slated for May 28th, has been shifted to June 4th, to enable the teachers have more time to prepare for the test and also to correct the various misgivings about the TDNA.
Fayemi said the TDNA was designed to revamp the education sector in the state and better the lots of teachers and students alike.
The Governor vowed that his administration would stop at nothing to ensure that the State returns to its leading position in the education sector as the fountain of knowledge, even as government is already creating conducive environment for productive teaching and learning. He said government would continue to invest in the training and re-training of teachers, as well as providing incentives for them.
“It is pertinent to say, however that while many have misconstrued government’s intention in the TDNA, we are convinced that it will better the lots of both the teachers and those being taught. In addressing some of the agitations surrounding the TDNA, we have decided to shift the date of the assessment by a week. It is our belief that the various misgivings about the TDNA would have given way for a better understanding and appreciation of the assessment”, he said.
On the part of the children, Fayemi said no sacrifice was too much to make in an attempt to get the best from them, stressing that the free education policy of the government as well as computer-per child initiative , through which 33,000 laptops computers have been given to secondary school students are part of government’s efforts at investing in the future of the young ones.
Fayemi said: “Let me assure you that the State Government will continue to be proactive in making you, our children, the real asset for the growth of our land. By now it should have become clearer to skeptics that all promises made concerning your development through qualitative education are not mere political gimmicks but a policy option well articulated for enduring impact”.
While lamenting Nigeria’s derail from developing its human capital following deficient planning and lack of vision of some leaders, the Governor said it was not a coincidence that his administration was placing premium on human capital development with a focus on children; saying that it was high time everyone rescued the country and the future of the younger generation from corruption and insecurity which he described as “detrimental but avoidable threats”.
Fayemi stressed the role of the cultural heritage in fighting the current security challenges that the country is facing; saying that the Ekiti cultural heritage has a lot to offer Nigeria in a time like this, even as he added that Ekiti progenitors were known to be gallantry, honest, hardworking, selfless and other social values which they must not allow to dwindle.
Speaking on the theme of the Celebration: “Lets build a culture of Peace and Security for the Nigeria Child”, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi said the future of children as leaders can only be guaranteed in a conducive and safe society free from fear of abuse, exploitation and all forms of violence.
While commending the efforts of the State Government in providing free education for children in the State as well implementing the Child’s Right Law and Gender-Based Violence Prohibition law that seek to protect the rights of children, Richie-Adewusi said the strides of the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF) and other development partners cannot be overemphasised.
She however urged children to imbibe the principle of hardwork, integrity, honesty and be good ambassadors of Ekiti State wherever they are.
Highlights of the celebration, include match past, calisthenics and aerobics displays.
Last modified: May 28, 2012
