The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated its dedication to fostering a sustainable and high-quality education system within the state. This commitment aligns with the administration’s core principle and flagship project, known as “SHINE.”
The assurance was delivered by Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, representing Sen. Okpebholo, during the State Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB) and Executive Principals’ Interactive Session for the 2024/2025 academic session, held at Imaguero College in Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo lauded the principals for their critical role in shaping the character and overall development of students. He recognized them as effective leaders, guiding the direction and influencing the future of the children under their care.
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A key focus of the address was the importance of instilling strong moral values in students. Sen. Okpebholo emphasized the crucial role of discipline in shaping character and urged principals, teachers, and all stakeholders to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of their students.
“When you go to public schools, children are not disciplined anymore,” Sen. Okpebholo stated. “Students can no longer be cautioned for any act of misdemeanor, probably for fear of who the parents are in society. These children have been given to you in trust, to mold, to bring out the best in them; that is why you are there.”
He further stressed the significance of educators in society: “I want to encourage you that in this new Edo we are having, you will play a major role in who our children become in this State, and it will be a thing of joy that someday, a child will say, ‘That is my Principal,’ and the Principal will say, ‘That is my boy; I mentored this child.’ Teachers and principals are not really regarded as they should be because what they do is so much; you are the ones who made medical doctors, you produce lecturers, governors, senators – you produced everybody who is at the helm of affairs today, and so you are very important.”
Miss Omozena Ebanehita, Chairman of the SSEB, expressed her appreciation for Governor Okpebholo’s significant investment in the state’s education sector. “The essence of the interactive session is to transform principals into performance-driven school managers and to ensure secondary schools provide quality education and a conducive learning environment,” she explained.
Echoing the sentiment, Mrs. Nosa Idiaru, principal of Imaguero College, recognized the importance of the event. “It was a very educational and timely event. With what the First Lady shared with us, we have confidence that the future of education in the state is bright,” she concluded. The interactive session underscores the Edo State government’s ongoing efforts to prioritize education and create a brighter future for its youth.
