Education

Anambra gov lauds teachers’ role in shaping education

Published

1 month ago

October 8, 2025

The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has lauded the invaluable contributions of teachers to society, emphasising their critical role in shaping the future of education in Anambra State.

According to a press statement released by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Wednesday, the governor urged appreciation for teachers worldwide, highlighting particularly the efforts of teachers in Anambra.

Soludo expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work of educators, noting that everyone was brought up by a teacher.

He said, “You are doing a fantastic job, and I want to highlight that basic statistics show Anambra is leading in many educational metrics.

“There is no educational system without the teachers; the future of a society is intrinsically linked to the quality of its teachers and the quality of teaching they provide.”

The governor stated that in order to combat historical neglect of the education sector, his government successfully recruited 8,115 teachers through a competitive process that drew applicants from 18 states across Nigeria.

“Literacy and numeracy have improved by over 40 per cent, and enrollment rates have surged since we took office. This reflects on the progress made under my administration.

“We acknowledge the challenges the state faced when I assumed leadership. When we came, we discovered that public education was completely neglected and abandoned, and we vowed to restore the sector to its rightful place.

“To sustain this momentum, we plan to recruit even more teachers soon, ensuring that Anambra continues to enhance its educational landscape. We will announce the recruitment of more teachers soon, as our ongoing commitment to improving education,” he added.

As the governor’s message reverberates through the state, the focus on bolstering the teaching force is seen as a critical step toward elevating educational standards and securing a brighter future for the children of Anambra.

Also, at the event, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngọzi Chuma-Udeh, addressed attendees, acknowledging the significant influence educators have on the people.

Chuma-Udeh also expressed her commitment to promoting the ongoing efforts of the state government in education.

“These are the parents whose lives you have positively touched. We recognise the vital role that teachers play in shaping the community’s future.

“We will continue to declare the good works of the Governor,” emphasising the administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of education and supporting the needs of families in Anambra.”

The Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, along with the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Vera Nwadinobi, highlighted the significant achievements made by the Governor in the education sector over the past three and a half years, while assuring continued support for ongoing initiatives.

They noted that under the current administration, the class sizes have surged to 70 students or more, largely attributed to the implementation of free education policies.

The event was also used by a group called “The Patriots” and the Association of People Living with Disabilities to endorse the Governor and his Deputy for a second term in office.

PUNCH Online reported on October 5, 2025, that UNESCO, ILO, Education International, and UNICEF emphasised the pivotal role teachers play in shaping education and national development.

The organisations noted that the 2025 theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” aims to empower teachers to “fully deploy their talent and vocation” while receiving the support necessary to achieve transformational outcomes.

They jointly urged governments, partners, and the international community to make a collective commitment to recognising collaboration as a standard practice within the teaching profession, stressing that “only through effective cooperation at all levels can truly inclusive, equitable, and resilient education systems be built worldwide.”

The global bodies further underscored that adequate funding and improved welfare are essential to make teaching both rewarding and result-driven.

Post Views: 167

Education

FG drops mother tongue policy

Published

2 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Federal Government has announced that English will now serve as the primary medium of instruction in all Nigerian schools, officially cancelling the national policy that required teaching in indigenous languages.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday, November 12, while speaking with journalists at the Language in Education International Conference 2025 organised by the British Council in Abuja.

The two-day conference, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” brought together educators, policymakers, researchers, and development partners from across Africa, South Asia, and the United Kingdom to discuss language-based strategies for inclusive education.

Dr. Alausa explained that the policy change aims to improve learning outcomes and promote consistency across Nigeria’s educational system. While acknowledging the cultural importance of indigenous languages, he maintained that English should be the main medium of instruction from pre-primary to tertiary education.

“English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction. Over the years, mother tongues have been used to teach and this has largely been responsible for the failures recorded in exams. The national policy on language has been cancelled. English now stands as the medium of instruction across all levels of education,” he said.

According to the minister, data from national examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB revealed that the excessive use of indigenous languages in some regions had contributed to poor comprehension and declining performance among students. He emphasized that policy decisions must be guided by evidence rather than emotional or cultural sentiment.

Dr. Alausa added that English provides a unifying communication platform in Nigeria’s multilingual context and opens doors to global knowledge, technology, and opportunities.

In the same event, Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for Sub-Saharan Africa at the British Council, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable education through language-responsive teaching.

“Language can act as a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity for every learner,” Parry said, noting that collaboration and evidence-sharing were key to improving educational outcomes globally.

Also speaking, Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes at the British Council Nigeria, highlighted the organisation’s ongoing work in inclusive education.

“Since 2015, through our Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme, we have developed inclusive pedagogy initiatives that enable teachers to embed inclusive practices in the classroom,” he said.

The policy shift marks a major transformation in Nigeria’s education system, with the government emphasizing global competitiveness and uniformity in instruction while pledging continued support for indigenous language preservation outside the formal classroom setting.

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Education

First lady distributes 10,000 sanitary pad packs to Anambra schoolgirls

Published

9 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled a national menstrual health project under her Renewed Hope Initiative, tagged “Flow with Confidence,” with the distribution of 10,000 sanitary pad packs to teenage girls from selected schools across Anambra State.

The initiative, which was first launched in October 2025, includes the distribution of 370,000 sanitary pad packs across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, with each state expected to receive an allocation of 10,000 packs.

The programme is aimed at empowering schoolgirls, promoting menstrual hygiene, and restoring their dignity during their menstrual cycle through a one-year supply of sanitary pads.

At the Anambra State flag-off ceremony held on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Light House in Awka, Tinubu was represented by the state’s First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, who also serves as the state Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Soludo, who is also the founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, while reading the First Lady’s speech, disclosed that Anambra received an allocation of 10,000 sanitary pads to be distributed equitably across the state, particularly in rural communities where many girls struggle to access such products.

She described the programme as a timely intervention to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls, especially the stigma, ridicule, and loss of self-confidence that often accompany menstruation in schools.

According to her, the project seeks to prevent girls from missing school due to their periods and to promote dignity and confidence by ensuring they have access to menstrual hygiene products.

She said, “The programme is a timely intervention to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls, especially the stigma, ridicule, and loss of self-confidence that often accompany menstruation in schools.

“It is wrong for girls to miss school during their periods because they cannot afford sanitary pads or fear stained clothes. Through this initiative, young girls will not only receive sanitary pads but also gain the confidence to embrace their education without disruption.

“This gesture is about health, dignity, and self-esteem. We urge beneficiaries not to sell the pads but to use them properly. The project is designed to safeguard your health and prevent infections linked to unhygienic alternatives such as rags or tissues.

“About ₦2.5 billion was spent to provide these sanitary pads from a locally manufactured company. To our girls, this is for you; make the most use of it, stay in school, and never allow shame and stigma to affect your confidence and future dreams.”

Also speaking at the launch, the member representing Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Ifeoma Azikiwe, commended Senator Tinubu’s compassion and dedication to the welfare of women and girls nationwide.

Azikiwe noted that the initiative would reduce school absenteeism among girls and protect their dignity.

“This is a laudable step towards ensuring menstrual health, reducing the risk of infections, and enabling our girls to stay in school with confidence.

“We appreciate the First Lady of Nigeria for extending this support to every state, and we are particularly grateful for the 10,000 pads allocated to Anambra,” she added.

The event also featured a lecture delivered by a female health expert, who encouraged the girls to view menstruation not as a source of shame but as a natural process and a sign of strength.

“Menstruation is not something to hide or be embarrassed about. It is part of womanhood. Use your sanitary pads correctly, maintain good hygiene, and talk to your mothers, sisters, or trusted adults whenever you need guidance.

“Above all, never let menstruation hold you back from achieving your dreams,” she said.

The gathering, which was attended by state officials, representatives from the 21 local government areas, women’s groups, and schoolgirls, underscored the importance of menstrual health in sustaining girls’ education.

Apart from the pad packs distributed, the teenage girls also received cash gifts from the Anambra State First Lady to cover their transportation fare back to their various destinations.

Beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude, noting that the pads would help them attend school regularly and boost their confidence among peers.

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Education

Minister Pledges Investment In Education For Youth Empowerment

Published

17 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has reiterated the ministry’s commitment to investing in education to empower young Nigerians and promote sustainable economic growth.
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Represented by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadiri, Prof Ahmad stated this at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Principals of Federal Unity Colleges, in Lagos.

The minister stressed that the theme for the AGM, ‘Education for Renewed Hope: Repositioning Secondary Education for Economic Empowerment and National Development,’ was timely and strategic, saying it highlighted the essential link between quality education, economic empowerment, and national development — ensuring equal access to education for all, particularly the girl-child and persons with special needs.
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“The Ministry remains committed to investing in education to empower young Nigerians and promote sustainable economic growth. Our focus is on key reform areas—curriculum development, teacher professionalisation, and digital transformation—aims to revitalise Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices, thereby preparing our students for a knowledge-driven economy,” Ahmad said.
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The minister also urged the principals to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity, and accountability in discharge their duties.

Reiterating the critical role of federal unity colleges in promoting education and national development, Prof Ahmad said, “We reaffirm our commitment to excellence, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Together, we can build a brighter future for our nation and empower the next generation of leaders.
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“I assure you that concerted efforts are being made to reposition education as a key driver of economic growth and national development, ensuring the delivery of effective and equitable education that contributes to a strong, democratic, prosperous, indivisible, and sovereign nation,” she stated
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The Executive Secretary, National Senior Secondary Education Commission, Dr Iyela Ajayi, in his address, stated that a secondary education system that is anchored on critical thinking, scientific enquiry, technological competence and entrepreneurial skills would serve as a catalyst for innovation and inclusive growth by investing in relevant, equitable and future-oriented education.

Ajayi said Nigeria can cultivate a generation of empowered youths capable of driving sustainable development, social cohesion and national resilience.
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“The task of repositioning secondary school education for Renewed Hope is daunting but not insurmountable. It requires robust political will, strategic investment and most importantly, a committed visionary leadership,” he said.

He charged participants to return to their colleges and become the transformation catalyst. “Our students are not just students; they are the future inventors, entrepreneurs and leaders of this great nation. They hold the key to Nigeria’s renewed hope and economic prosperity. It is our sacred duty to provide them with an education that unlocks their potential and positions them to drive our national development,” Ajayi charged.

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Post Views: 39