Ondo State To Host 69th National Council On Education

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Government is set to host the 69th meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE), scheduled to take place next month.

With the theme “Quality Education, Data and Professionalisation of Teaching; a Tool for Enhanced National Development, the meeting will be hosted  in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

The National Council on Education is the highest statutory body responsible for making key decisions that chart the course of the entire education sector in Nigeria.

Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, conveyed the readiness of the state, while playing host to the team from the Federal Ministry of Education in Akure.

The Commissioner appreciated the Federal  Ministry of Education for bringing the NCE to Ondo State, while emphasizing that council meeting  would presents an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to take stock of national progress, identify systemic challenges, and forge a cohesive national strategy.

Ajibefun assured the visiting officials that the state is fully prepared to handle the logistics and high expectations associated with hosting the nation’s foremost educational summit.

A top official of the Federal Ministry of education, Alhaja Abosede Olayiwola, while speaking  on the reason for their visit noted that it was specifically to check the level of preparedness, while also highlighting the importance of thorough planning for an event of this magnitude.

She said the meeting would  be chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunde Alausa, and is expected to attract delegates from across the country.

In her words ” diverse group of high-ranking officials and policymakers will converge in Ondo State for the five-day summit.

“The expected delegates include Education Commissioners from all 36 states, alongside key Government functionaries from various Federal and State Ministries of Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Others are Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Board, officials from the FCT Education Secretariat, federal and state education parastatals, and other relevant government agencies”

The NCE serves as the ultimate policy clearing house for Nigeria’s educational architecture. Historically, its resolutions have resulted in nationwide reforms, curriculum reviews, and changes to teaching standards.

The major policy decisions taken here will subsequently be implemented across all tiers of education from basic to tertiary in every state.