BAYELSA GOVT INVESTS IN BLUE EDUCATION TO TACKLE PECULIAR NEEDS …Tasks FG on Road, Other Projects
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
Gov. Douye Diri
Bayelsa State Government says it is investing in what it calls blue education in line with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education development model.
Governor Douye Diri made this known on Thursday during a courtesy call on him by the Chairman and members of the Presidential Visitation Panel to the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, in Government House, Yenagoa
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, pointed out that effective implementation of the STEM model would help to tackle the peculiar needs of the state, especially in terms of job and wealth creation.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted him as saying that government intends to drive a greater part of the new system through technical colleges.
To this end, the Governor said more science and technical colleges were being established across all the local government areas, including those in Okaka and Swali in the Yenagoa metropolis.
According to him, government is fine-tuning some aspects of the programme, adding that when fully operational, all secondary students would acquire a one year compulsory technical education before their graduation.
While thanking the Presidential Visitation Panel for the visit, Senator Diri indicated his administration’s readiness to partner the Federal Government in promoting the growth and development of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe.
Describing education as a veritable means of achieving sustainable prosperity, the Bayelsa Chief Executive also called on the Federal Government to establish more educational institutions in the state.
His words “We are pursuing what we call Blue Education and not White-collar education. Because we believe that those who are trained in technical education, will come out to be employers of labour.
“We are establishing additional technical colleges, one each in the Eight local government areas and we hope to expand on it. Yenagoa already has two. This is in addition to our existing Government Craft Development Centers.
“We are trying to develop a programme which will make it compulsory for every secondary school student to acquire skills in POP, tiling, welding, electrical and auto mechanics and several other trades before he or she graduates.
“So the idea is, as soon as they finish their Junior Secondary Education, their SS1 will be the compulsory stage for the vocational training before they will come back to do SS2 and SS3 to write their SSCE.
“So, if we can achieve this for six to seven years, those who are successful in learning, may end up as employers of labour and the multiplier effect will fall in line with our vision of creating sustainable jobs and prosperity.”
While responding to the request by the Presidential Visitation Panel to link the Polytechnic with road, Senator Diri pointed out that the ongoing construction work on the Yenagoa-Oporoma road is a step towards making access to Ekowe and other parts of Southern Ijaw a lot more easier.
He however, stressed the need for the federal government to give the people of the state a sense of belonging by embarking on road and other critical infrastructures to improve their standard of living.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Presidential Visitation Panel to the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Professor Yasir Quadri, said the visit which had lasted for six weeks, afforded them the opportunity to have a first-hand knowledge of the progress and challenges facing the polytechnic.
Prof. Quadri identified lack of access road to the institution and under-utilization of the institution’s facilities as some of the problems besetting the school.
While expressing gratitude to the state government for its monthly financial assistance to the Ekowe Polytechnic, he however, appealed for more support.
Also speaking, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Dr. Inetimi Idah, who was represented by the school Librarian, Mr. Godwin Orumah, assured the state government of the institution’s determination partnership in research and other aspects of development.
