By Daniel Tyokua
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, at the weekend reminded residents of the territory that the FCT Administration was going extra mile to ensure that schools below the desired standards are not allow in the territory
The minister stated this at the inauguration ceremony of PET International Academy Lugbe.
In a statement issued by Austine Elemue, Special Assistant on (Media) to the minister, said Quality Assurance Departent of Education Secretariat will scale-up its monitoring and inspection of schools to ensure standards.
The minister who was represented by the Director of FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr. Adamu Noma, acknowledged that provisions of quality education should not be the responsibility of government alone, however affirmed that private sector engagement is key to quality education.
She also stressed that the administration had at September 2019, granted approval to no fewer than 1,648 private schools both at Junior and Senior Secondary School levels.
According to her, “Undoubtedly, provisions of quality education should not be the responsibility of government alone. We have come to the realization that private sector engagement is key to quality education. In recognition of this fact, the FCT Administration as at September 2019, has granted approval to no fewer than 1,648 private schools both Junior and Senior Secondary School levels.
“However, I want to use this occasion to state unequivocally that the FCT Administration will not compromise standard in both our public and private schools. Our Quality Assurance Department will scale1-up monitoring and enforcement in all schools.
Aliyu commended the management of the school for choosing FCT for the establishment of the ultra model school to compliment government efforts in the development of education sector, while assuring that underscoring the critical role education plays in the fortunes of this nation and the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration, the FCT Administration will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that education takes its rightful place.
In his remarks, the Proprietor of the school, Dr. Jeremiah Ekele, also acknowledged that the provision of quality and functional education to pupils and students cannot be left alone in the hands of government, stressing that PEM is being developed with the aim of complimenting government efforts and giving back to the society at large.
Speaking on the programmes the institution offered, Ekele said, “At present, we have classes for creche, daycare, nursery, basic 1 to IV and JSS1, assuring that the development of more infrastructure is still ongoing to accommodate more learners and hostel facilities.
He, therefore, called on the FCT Administration to come to the aid of private school owners in the provision of more infrastructure to accommodate the laboratories.
