The Akwa Ibom State Government has directed head teachers, parents and community leaders to step up mobilization of children for enrolment in public schools ahead of the 2025/2026 academic session, which begins on September 15.
Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Anietie Etuk, Ph.D, who gave the directive during an advocacy visit for the 2025 enrolment drive in Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas of the state expressed concern over dwindling enrolment figures in public schools, despite government’s huge investment in free and compulsory education, describing the trend as unacceptable and a sharp contradiction to Governor Umo Eno’s vision of making education the bedrock of sustainable development, under his the ARISE Agenda.
He charged head teachers and Local Education Authority officials to intensify community engagement through sensitization campaigns, urging parents and guardians to embrace public education for the benefit of their children.
To enforce accountability, he directed that accurate enrolment data must be provided.
Again, he called for collaboration with supervisors, traditional institutions, religious bodies and community-based organizations to boost enrolment and retention.
Also speaking, Board Member in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Elder Godwin Enoidem, warned that negligence or laxity from school administrators and community leaders would no longer be tolerated. He reaffirmed that free and compulsory education at the primary and junior secondary levels remains a non-negotiable policy of the state government.
Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Dr. Roseline Mfon, reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring every child has equal access to quality education, while calling on parents and stakeholders to take responsibility in shaping the future of the next generation.
In his response, Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government, Hon. Gideon Uwa—represented by Vice Chairman, Mrs. Choice Lazarus—commended SUBEB for its consistent investment in infrastructure, teacher training and learning materials, pledging continued support to the state government’s efforts in reviving the educational sector.
Checks, however reveal a dwindling traffic into public primary and post primary schools in the state, while their private counterparts continue to experience heavy traffic, their private counterparts boom with tremendous traffic of pupils and students.
A retired school principal, Mr. Donatus Ekpa, who spoke with our correspondent said the development is influenced by the quality of education received in private schools.
According to him, the management of private schools are more serious and committed to efficiency because they are private business and they record more success and numerical strength in admission into tertiary institutions in the state.
He berated the state government of not maintaining a workable mechanism to access performance of teachers in public schools , even after investing heavily in infrastructure and staff salaries.
He suggested an independent task force of professionals to monitor performance of teachers in public schools.
On the contrary, a retired Secondary school teacher, Mrs. Anietie Ita lampooned private schools and fingered them for employing unqualified teachers and compromising standard and certifications to encourage students’ population and financials gains.
”Untill private schools are checked and monitored, the quality of education will remain watery in the state” she said.
