By Joke Adeniyi-Jackson
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has selected Community High School (CHS), Esie, Irepodun LGA, Kwara State as one of the Focal Points in the country for its “Every Child Count” educational programme.
This was disclosed by the Principal of the Senior Secondary school of CHS, Esie, Pastor Olaleye Olufemi Abraham while addressing traders in Esie and at Oro Central Market during an Education Advocacy Programme sponsored by UNESCO, last Wednesday.
Speaking on the importance of the programme, the principal, who represented UNESCO at the event, said, “the aim of visiting the market was to adequately sensitise traders and their customers on the need to provide education for their children.”
He therefore charged parents to invest in the education of their children, saying, “Parents should not deny physically challenged children education because they also need education for better future.”
Abraham however attributed the low turnout of children in schools in the country to poverty and cultural belief, among other problems.
According to him, “issue of miracle centres” has seriously affected students’ population in some schools.
“Many students prefer enrolling for external examination in those schools where they believe examination malpractice would be encouraged.”
He then appealed to government to be more proactive in curbing examination malpractice to further enhance qualitative education and discipline in schools across the state.
In her remarks, the Principal, Junior Secondary school, CHS, Esie, Mrs Fashikun Cordelia Ndidi described the programme as relevant for the progress of education in the state.
She disclosed that the UNESCO education support programme which commenced in 2016 has helped many students to access quality education.
Ndidi said that Esie and Oro Central market were selected for the 2-day sensitisation programme because of the high population of traders in the two markets and their strategic locations.
She called for more support for education from stakeholders, particularly the Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Kwara State.
Fashikun enjoined governments at all levels to address the major challenges faced by teachers to encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the education sector in Nigeria.
She also appealed to government to assist in the provision of teaching aids to enhance teaching and learning in schools across the state.
Participants at the event included, the Chairman of the UNESCO Club in the school, Mr Maruf Afolabi, UNESCO Club Coordinator, Mr Aribidesi Ismail, Mr Peter Oyeniyi and students, among others.
