Edo gov unveils transformative education reforms

EDO State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled a comprehensive and transformative roadmap for education, reflecting the administration’s commitment to providing every child with access to quality, future-ready learning opportunities.

Governor Okpebholo’s education reforms are being spearheaded by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu. Iyamu said the reform agenda is a deliberate and holistic strategy designed to reposition education as the foundation of Edo’s long-term development.

The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is addressing decades of decay across the education sector with unprecedented reforms. Dilapidated schools are being rebuilt into modern learning centres equipped with STEM laboratories, functional classrooms, sanitation facilities, and teaching aids.

Through the EduRescue Initiative, children previously out of school are being reintegrated, with free books and learning materials provided to ensure inclusivity and equity.

Central to this transformation is the recognition that teachers are the drivers of educational excellence. Accordingly, the government has prioritized the recruitment, continuous training, and digital empowerment of teachers.

With tablets and standardised lesson scripts now in their hands, educators across the state are delivering uniform, high-quality instruction.

“No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. That is why we are investing in them like never before,” Dr Iyamu stated.

The reforms extend beyond the present, preparing young people with both academic and vocational competencies. Every student completing junior secondary school will now graduate with a trade certification, equipping them with employable skills alongside traditional learning.

Technical colleges in Igarra, Irrua, and Benin are being revitalised, while a new National College is under development in Ovia to strengthen Edo’s vocational and technical education framework.

In parallel, the government has embarked on restoring integrity to the educational system. Unregulated “miracle centres” and mushroom schools are being shut down, while partnerships with WAEC and NECO are reinforcing the fight against examination malpractice.

Parents are regaining confidence in public schools, reassured that their children can now access education that is credible, competitive and character-driven.

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