Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday flagged off the first Delta State Education Summit with a call for student-centered and transformative educational system that is responsive to the constantly expanding socio-political milieu.

“I believe that all children deserve a chance to achieve their full potential in life which can only happen when they are given the right kind of education that is not only based on universal access but also anchored on innovation, rigorous standards, teaching excellence, digital learning and continuous improvement,” Governor Okowa, told a gathering of intellectuals and other stakeholders who attended the Summit, chaired by the renowned legal Icon, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

The two-day summit is aimed at repositioning Education in Delta State with emphasis on improved teaching methods, innovation, better learning outcomes, community involvement and social transformation.

According to Governor Okowa, funding gaps, outdated curriculum, lack of continuous teachers' education and inadequate participation of parents and community leaders in the education system are part of the challenges confronting the education sector in the state.

He charged participants at the summit to evolve ways of meeting the challenges and promised his government’s commitment to give education the priority it deserves.

“Our goal is to provide the best education available for every student with strong emphasis on science, vocational and technical education, as we hope to harness the power of technology to empower our children with rigorous, high quality, customised education necessary for them to thrive in today's dynamic market place.” This, he said, is to avoid the scenario of the prevalence of high school leavers and adults who do not possess the knowledge and critical thinking skills required for the technically complex job of the 21st century.

The chairman of the summit, Are Afe Babalola (SAN), represented by Prof. Isaac Oltoboloye, commended Governor Okowa’s administration for the initiative and assured that the summit would provide a platform for the cross-fertilisation and exchange of ideas on how to reposition education at the primary, secondary and the tertiary level in Delta state.

In his welcome address the chairman, planning committee for the summit, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, had observed that the summit was all about identifying what was wrong in the education sector and proffering solutions to them.

Keynote address was delivered by Prof. Pai Obanya while Prof. John Enaohwo, Prof. Cecilia Okobiah, delivered lectures on the way forward for the education sector.

•Photo shows Governor Okowa.

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