The Akwa Ibom State government has pledged further support for vocational and adult education in the State. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Nse Essien gave the indication, Wednesday at the official handover of vocational equipment to the Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education donated by the Commission for Mass Literary, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC).
The Education Boss stated that with the 6 Adult vocational centers in the Adult and non-formal education arm of the Ministry and the 1050 adult education centers across the State, one of the main assignments of the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel was to create jobs and wealth for the teeming youths of the State and also strive to provide quality education for all in line with the sustainable development goals. Emphasis he said was being laid on the creation of a lifelong learning development programme while thanking the Governor for supporting and financing the Adult and Non-formal education arm of the Ministry.
Essien identified unemployment as one of the major problems in the State stressing that vocational education was vital to addressing this. He expressed confidence that the equipment which includes items for sewing, baking, fashion designing, home economics, and hairdressing will strengthen the already existing facilities in the women and adult education centers of the State and also boast the State’s resolve to provide vocational skills for the youths.
“The commitment of the government to vocational education cannot be overemphasized as it births practical training needed in this age. With this arrangement, we are going to take education to every nook and cranny of this State and no one will have no excuse for not being educated”, he said. He therefore, urged the facilitators to show commitment considering the unique nature of the classroom
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman, Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education, Hon. Mrs. Ekaette Utip stated that the donation by NMEC was in consonance with the Vision of the Governor for skills acquisition. The Center she said has two (2) schools – the Adult Education Training Center (AETC) and the women Education Model Center (WEMC) with the former training adult learners as facilitators for the Adult Education Centers (AEC) spread across the State. She disclosed that the learners are nominated and sponsored by the various Local Government Areas and obtain an AETC certificate upon graduation which is an equivalent of TC 111
She thanked the Governor for extending the free education policy to the Adult education sector by paying NAPTEB fees for the Adult learners and also approving payment of stipend to facilitators who had been teaching in the Adult Education Centers for years without being paid. Furthermore, she lauded NMEC for the equipment and pledged the readiness of the learners to put the equipment to proper use as well as other youths in the State interested in learning any of the vocations.
The Commissioner was later conducted round the various departments of the Vocational Center which included Fashion the Design Department, Home Economics Department, Cosmetology and Beauty Therapy
where he officially commissioned the equipment and interacted with the learners.
Also present at the Occasion was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Helen Ante, Board Members of the Agency, Directors of the Ministry, facilitators, and learners.
written by Divine Sam
