May 22, (THEWILL)- Former Minister of State for Education during the then-president Goodluck Jonathan era, Professor Nickolas Ada, has acknowledged the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration through deliberate reforms, aimed at improving education quality in Benue State.
The university Don made the disclosure when the Benue State chapter of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), paid a visit to the Director General of Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BEQA), Dr Terna Francis, in Makurdi, the state capital.
He reaffirmed the association’s readiness to collaborate with the agency to achieve shared educational goals.
Ada, who is a Professor of Science Education at the Benue State University, Makurdi, therefore, pleaded with the Director General to draw the attention of Governor Alia to the sponsorship request of N160,000 per participant, to attend the STAN Annual Conference coming up in Abuja.
Earlier, the State Chairman of STAN, Dr Timothy Akpoghol, who led the delegation, congratulated Dr Francis on his well-deserved appointment; expressing the association’s gratitude for the opportunity to discuss pressing issues with him.
Doctor Akpoghol outlined challenges facing the STAN in the state including non-payment of science teachers’ allowances; lack of functional laboratories; workshops and instructional materials.
In his response, Dr Francis emphasised the importance of encouraging students to pursue sciences, given the increasing dominance of technology in the world.
He assured the association that their concerns would be addressed to enhance the development of science education in the state.
According to him, the commitment of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to the education sector was a key reason for establishing BEQA; adding that the agency has already made significant discoveries regarding the state of public schools.
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