The Anambra State Government has said that the collaboration between the public-private stakeholders in education has helped revive the reading culture among youths, resulting in an improvement in the literacy level across the state.
It said that the ministry of education’s partnership with individuals and corporate organisations had benefited the state with the introduction of novel programmes and quality teaching as well as learning in schools.
Speaking on the impact the partnership had brought to the state, Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, stressed that the contributions improved student’s performance and made Anambra schools win national and global competitions and awards.
Omenugha made the assertion on Thursday at a programme tagged: ” A Day with Education Builders and Award Ceremony”, which were part of activities to celebrate Anambra at 30, in Awka.
“Today provides the opportunity to say a big thank you to great individuals and groups who have over the years helped to build education with their numerous contributions.
“A lot of you have supported the government to provided toilet facilities, train teachers, build classrooms, equip laboratories and libraries and sponsored school debates, sports and other programmes.
“One of our awardees – Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML) has established and equipped many libraries across primary and secondary schools in the state.
“This gesture by ZODML has helped to revive the dwindling reading culture to eliminate illiteracy, keep history afresh and help out students to be abreast of developments around the globe,” she said.
Omenugha said that the Ministry had prepared a handbook titled ‘A Guide to Public-Private Collaboration Initiatives/Intervention in Schools’ to provide partway for intending partners.
She urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to support Gov. Willie Obiano’ s administration in the quest to take the education sector to an enviable reputation.
While Receiving the award, the Chief Executive Officer of ZODML, Ego Mgbagwu, said that the idea of establishing libraries was informed by the growing need to assist youth acquire knowledge.
She described education as the bedrock of development in any society, hence the important role of the library in students’ academic achievement and lifelong learning process and self-education.
According to Mgbagwu, there is also the need to assist public primary and secondary schools students who might not be able to afford the required relevant books due to financial constraints.
“We thank Anambra State Ministry for Basic Education for the award of recognition. This award will motivate us at ZODML to do more in the education sector, ” Mgbagwu said.
It would be recalled that Anambra State was created on August 27, 1991, by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
