BY PAUL EGEDE
THE Chairman of Ika South Local Government, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior has stressed the need for teachers in public primary schools in the area to regard their job as a primary responsibility.
Engr. Ehiwarior stated this when he led staff and management of Ika South Local Government to flag off the “back to school” project initiated by the Education Department of the Local Government.
He said it was absolutely expedient for teachers to always open their hearts in relating with the pupils as, according to him, “the children hold the potentials for a greater and prosperous society.”
He added, “You must make efforts to impact the right values in the children to build and prepare them for the future. They are the keys to unlocking the dormant potentials that would liberate our society from ignorance and poverty. We must, therefore, pay serious attention to their educational advancement.
“It is generally agreed that children are leaders of tomorrow, and, therefore, we must groom and equip them with the right knowledge and values to be able to deal with emerging societal challenges.
“I, therefore, call on teachers and parents to build a strong relationship with the children that will help them develop self- confidence as they grow into adults. There should also be a strong synergy between teachers and parents for us to be able to raise responsible children.”
While recalling with nostalgia his years as a pupil of Erigbe Primary School, the Local Government boss said he would forever remain grateful to his teachers and parents for contributing in no small measure, to who he had become as an adult.
He called on old students’ associations to see themselves as partners in the development of their alma maters by ensuring that they support the government in the provision and maintenance of infrastructures in their respective former schools.
He assured that the government was committed to improving infrastructure across the local government area, including schools, adding that the welfare of the pupils remained among top priorities of his administration, saying, “we will do everything within our power to make learning convenient for them.”
In his remarks, the Supervisor for Education, Hon. Donald Okonta, appreciated the Local Government Chairman for fuelling the vision of the “back to school” initiative and making it a reality.
He also appreciated the headmistress and staff of the school for their support, and added that the administration would continue to protect the interest of the children.
