The Akwa Ibom State Government has again emphasized the need for every girl-child of school age to be properly educated.
To this end, it will henceforth be a punitive offence not to adequately enhance the educational status of female students in Akwa Ibom State.
These were the charges of the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Nse-Abasi Akpan, at a well attended and uniquely celebrated silver jubilee of Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket, last weekend.
According to the Commissioner who was represented by a Director in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Alice Esin, “the Government of Akwa Ibom State places much emphasis on educational needs of our female children, to adequately prepare them for the world today.
Dr. Akpan pointed out that since educated women are now competing favourably with their male counterparts globally as renowned engineers, medical doctors, bankers, and successful administrators, solid educational foundation must, as a matter of priority be laid for them in the state.
The Education Commissioner acknowledged with enthusiasm the impressive achievements and leading roles played by the principal of the school, Mrs. Grace Ime Isine, mostly in the areas of attaining high academic and moral standard as envisaged by the state government as well as the founding mothers of the Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket, 25 years ago.
Dr. Akpan then enjoined the students to strive hard in their ambition to achieve excellence if they must reciprocate the lofty encouragement of Chief Godswill Akpabio in educational development and the aspirations of their parents in fostering bright future for them, stressing that any form of examination malpractice and other vices should be dreaded and shunned by the students as the state government views these misdemeanor seriously.
In her speech, the principal of the school, Mrs. Grace Ime Isine, highlighted some of the remarkable achievements of the 25 year old institution to include the re-rooting of the School Assembly Hall, as well as the entire Seventeen classroom block which were in sorry state of dilapidation.
Mrs. Isine also recalled with nostalgia the notable and immense contributions of the PTA of the school in constructing a three-classroom block with a staff room which work is nearing completion.
She hinted that academically, the Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok has proved its mettle via excellent outings in both external examinations and national as well as state competition such as science quiz and essay contests; adding that most graduates of the institution are now playing leading roles in their different spheres of endeavour.
Mrs. Isine however appealed for urgent assistance from the government, corporate bodies and well placed individuals and organizations to alleviate some of the pressing problems plaguing the institution.
These, Mrs. Isine disclosed, include flooded premises, accommodation and classroom inadequacies, shortage of staff and absolute need for perimeter fencing for the safety and security of the female children.
Revealing a more pathetic situation, the principal informed the gathering that scores of students wail to the clinic on daily basis, suffering from athletic foot, while the hostel accommodation made for 250 students now takes over 300, even as over 100 students struggle for space in a normal classroom meant for about 60.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Princess Ini Adiakpan, had praised the untiring efforts of the principal in meeting the challenges of repositioning the Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket, maintaining that since education is the bedrock of any meaningful development, all round education will ensure that women are liberated from the shackles of tradition that inhibit their total development.
Also speaking, the chairman of the State Secondary School Education Board, Obong Ime Isine who was accompanied by board member 1, Hon. Eteka Usua, urged all stakeholders in the education sector to join hands in sustaining and actualizing the free education policy of Chief Godswill Akpabio's administration.
Obong Isine, a renowned educationist par excellence and former ANCOPS president in the state, also assured that the State Secondary Education Board will leave no stone unturn in sanitizing the school system for effective educational development and complete extermination of moral decadence and examination malpractices, as well as laxity among educational operators in the state.
Others who spoke in solidarity with Girls High School, Eket, for attaining the silver jubilee status included the President of the Old Girls Association, Mr. Ekaette Etentuk, one of the founding mothers, Bishop Iwuk Asuama, the Chairman of Onna local government, Deaconess Owoidighe Ekpoattai, board member 1 in State Secondary Education Board, Hon. Eteka Usua, who also handsomely unveiled the school's magazine “The Diamond”, as well as the Commissioner for Women Affairs, who was represented by one of her senior aides, Mrs. Gloria Umoh.
Highlights of the epoch occasion featured the launching of The Diamond magazine, published by the school, cutting of the silver jubilee cake, and spectacular traditional dances and drama performance by the students.