Abia International Education Summit - 2018
A 2-Day International Summit on Education in Abia State. “Reforming the Education Sector for the 21st Century”
Members of Advisory Committee:
1. Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji, Commissioner for Education, Abia State.
2. Prof. Uche Ikonne, Vice Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu.
3. Prof. Christian Aluka, Provost, College of Medicine, Abia State University, Uturu.
4. Hon. Thomas Nkoro, Chairman House Committee on Education Abia State House of Assembly.
5. Prof. Emmanuel Ekwonye, Faculty of Education, Imo State University, Owerri.
6. Comrade Stephen Uduma, Research Officer National Council of Arts and Culture, Uyo.
Members of Organizing Committee:
(A five Member Committee comprised of CENPAD and Partners including a
Representative from Abia State Ministry of Education)
Background
It is very obvious that the Education Sector in Abia State needs a total reform ranging from the State Ministry of Education (and its parastatals) to the public and government accredited private schools. Over the years, the Ministry has not lived up to expectations in their responsibility. Most public schools in Abia have become a mere shadows of themselves; ravaged by infrastructural decay, lack of modern multimedia, teaching and library facilities, lack of laboratory equipment, technical workmanship equipment, sports development facilities, low motivation and poor quality of the teaching personnel.
Lack of coordination and monitoring from the Ministry created a situation where there is no uniformity of academic curriculum and calendar among government accredited private schools. Even if a uniformed curriculum cannot be realized among the approved private schools, there should be a certain level of approval of such curriculum by the supervising Ministry of Education. Most of the private schools lack quality learning environment with poor teaching standards and personnel while extorting the un-suspecting public with little or no supervisory role from the State Ministry of Education.
Meanwhile, under the present Government in the State, the Education Sector in Abia has started to wear a new look. Currently, there are renovations in infrastructure including digging of boreholes for portable water is going on in many public schools in less than one year of inception into office. Recently, a free feeding program was launched by the State Government for pupils in the Primary Schools while arrangements are in top gear for training program for teachers for improved quality of the teaching personnel and subsequently the students. There are other measures also put in place by the incumbent leadership in the Ministry to re-position the Ministry and its parastatals for needed reforms to rescue the Education Sector.
There is an urgent need for the intervention of all stakeholders and development partners in assisting this present Government in the odorous task of rescuing the Education Sector in Abia.
This summit is to set the agenda; in partnership with government (federal, state and local), donor agencies and international organizations, the private sector and the civil society for a total overhaul of the Education Sector in Abia State. This reformation involves the Ministry, public and government accredited private schools across the State. It will ensure that internationally recognized best standards are set and conformed to. The summit above all other things, will chart a new way forward for the Abia Education Sector through needed partnerships for adequate planning, policy formulation and implementation, further capacity building, evaluation and monitoring.
Methodology
The first day will be Exhibitions by book companies and schools. Companies are invited to showcase the books published by them that can be approved by the government at various levels for the use of the students. In the same way, schools will use the opportunity provided to advertise their schools in different Exhibition Stands for the public while emphasizing on their academic standard and curriculum.This First Day will also witness accreditation of all participants.
The second day will start with an opening session which will witness a Town Hall Meeting/Roundtable on Education in Abia and the needed reforms, to be chaired by the Governor- Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. It will be an interactive session with the Governor, the participants and the entire Abians, even those in the Diaspora (through a real time online web portal link).
Comments and questions can be sent online through a dedicated website to ensure wider participation, comments and suggestions from Abians both home and abroad.
At the end of the Town Hall Meeting/Roundtable, there will be a tea break before the commencement of the plenary/thematic sessions and lunch.
The second session will witness another interactive session chaired by the Commissioner for Education. It will afford The Commissioner the opportunity to make policy statements on academic curriculum and calendar for all State Government accredited private schools including new guidelines and rules for better learning standards/quality of education.
Then there will be lunch and break.
The third part will be comprised of plenary/thematic sessions and work groups. After then, it will be the drafting of communiqué to be read at the Stakeholders Dinner.
The Last section will be the Stakeholders Dinner. Invitation to this Dinner shall be extended to the Governor and members of the State EXCO, The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the State Chief Judge, National and State Members of the Houses of Assembly. Selected stakeholders from Federal and State Ministries of Education, Donor Agencies/International Organizations, notified captains of industries / Multinational Corporations, and other stakeholders drawn from the participants. Some category of persons/organizations and or Institutions will use the opportunity of the Dinner to pledge partnership in any in any area of interest in the Abia Education Sector. The communiqué will be read and adopted at the Dinner. The Dinner will also witness the Inauguration of a Steering Committee for implementation of outcomes, further capacity building, evaluation and monitoring.
Funding/Proposed Partners
Our budget will cover cost of venue, feeding (tea break and lunch for 2 days), summit materials, participation certificates, administrative costs, contacts, communication, transport, accommodation and honorarium for resource persons, selected pupils, volunteers, media/paid announcements, live telecast of the opening session, interactive dinner/award night and other logistics.
We will also appeal to proposed partners and sponsors (donor agencies/international organizations and the private sector) for assistance.
