Akwa Ibom government has trained 2,234 school administrators on coronavirus prevention in centres across the state in anticipation of the resumption of classes.
Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government who declared the training open at Aka Community Secondary School, Uyo, said the safety and wellbeing of the pupils, students, and teachers is important to expose School Managers to the precautionary measures of COVID-19 pandemic.
Ekuwem who is also the State Chairman, COVID-19 Management Committee lauded the State Universal Basic Education Board for organising the exercise, said: “The State Government is committed to checkmate the spread of the deadly virus, the very reason Governor Udom has ensured the erection of a world-class isolation centre and other measures to combat the pandemic in our State”.
In her remarks, Enobong Mbobo commissioner for education called on the participants to accord the training maximum attention, saying that their ability to follow the exercise was important to the safety of the pupils, students, and teachers when school re-opens.
Mbobo said Basic Education is the foundation of knowledge, therefore teachers cannot afford to toil with this level, because if the foundation is faulty, the entire structure will be of no use.
Earlier, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Maria Ikorok commended Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for his proactive approach to the control of the coronavirus in the State as well as passion about improving the quality of basic education.
According to her, this is seen in the timely payment of the 50% the counterpart fund for UBE Matching Grant Intervention Projects, which has made it possible for the construction and renovation of classroom blocks, provision of instructional materials and equipment in schools.
She also applauded Governor Udom for initiating the School-on-Radio programme to engage the children while at home. According to her the teachers who took part in the School-on-Radio presentations and recordings during the lockdown deserve commendation.
She reiterated that the Board has carefully selected experts who have been involved in the control of COVID-19 in the State as resource persons, to train school administrators on guidelines and protocols for safety as the government is strategising to get children back to schools.
She urged the participants and Basic Education stakeholders to make optimal use of the training for their personal benefits, as well as that of the schools and the State in general.
At the training, one of the resource persons, the Chairman Nigeria Medical Association, Ime Udoh, a medical doctor took the participants on overview and facts about the pandemic and strategic management and COVID-19 safety in schools.
Other resource persons dwelt on prevention of COVID-19 disease, social distancing, physical distancing, and the school environment amid COVID-19, among other relevant topics.
The event featured the presentation by Commissioner of Education, Mbobo, a Handbook published by the State Universal Basic Education Board; a documentary which contains the background, structure, functions of the various Directorate and units of the Board and the Medium Term Basic Education Strategic Plan (MTBESP), which provides the basis for all activities of the Board in line with the national guideline.
The SUBEB Chairman led the aide to the Governor on Education Monitoring, Board Members, Permanent Secretary, and Directors on monitoring to Etinan, Eket, Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Oron, and other centres to ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Participants in the various centres applauded the State Government for the training and promised to adequately use the knowledge gained at the seminar to ensure the safety of the schools.
The event had in attendance Chairman, State Technical Schools Board, Godwin Udom, Board Member 1, SUBEB, Bernard Duncan, BM 2, Ime Ekpe, BM 3, Inibehe Etukudo, Permanent Secretary, Ezekiel Umoh, Perm. Secretary, Ministry of Education, Helen Ante, SUBEB Directors, Ministry of Education Directors, UBEC Representative, Patricia Obasi, SUBEB Directors, and others.
