BY Sarah NEGEDU
Contrary to the usual criticisms against overcrowded schools, the FCT Administration says the high enrolment rate in public schools across the territory is reflection of the high quality of education available in the nation’s capital.
FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, stated this when he received in his office, some school administrators who received special recognition at the last World Teachers’ Day celebration.
He said the overstretched facilities in some FCT schools are as a result of the confidence of the residents of the territory and even neighboring states in the FCT educational sector, hence the constant desire to enroll their children in them.
The minister expressed pride on the achievements of the principal of Government Secondary School Kubwa, Mr Musa Zuru, on being adjudged the Best National School Administrator at the World Teachers’ Day celebration.
He also commended the proprietress, Blooming Heritage Schools, Mrs Adedunke Abiri, whose school also emerged as the 3rd Best Private Primary School in the country.
He said their emergence was a reflection of the high quality of education in FCT schools. “I’m extremely proud of your achievements, including the achievement of our numerous students in both public and private schools, who have been able, over the last few years, to get awards and to come up tops in competitions. All these are a reflection of the educational system of the FCT.”
While pledging that the administration will continue to do its best to uphold the standards already established in FCT schools, he also emphasized on the need for all stakeholders to work together.
Bello said, “all we need is to work together and make sure that the quality is maintained and then we at the policy making level will try our very best to ensure that funding and all the needed support is granted within what is feasible and what is possible”.
On the request of the principal of GSS Kubwa for a new multipurpose hall, the minister directed that a new hall be built in the school in time for the students to write the 2022 terminal examinations.
In his remarks, Mr Musa Zuru, principal, GSS Kubwa, thanked the minister for providing the enabling environment that allowed FCT schools to excel, adding that all required school facilities were provided by the administration.
The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, as well as the Acting Secretary for Education, Abdulrazak Leramoh, and the chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board, Hon. Musa Yahaya, all pledged to work harder to maintain the high standards of FCT schools and said that the achievements of the awardees will encourage other principals and teachers to put in their best.
