Commissioner decries proliferation of schools in Benue

BENUE State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Elizabeth Ugo has decried the proliferation of illegal schools and tertiary institutions in the state contending that such schools were no longer being established for social service but commercial gains.Ugo who spoke last Tuesday at a Ministerial Press Accountability briefing in Makurdi, appealed to the people of the state not to patronise such institutions as a way of driving the culprits out of business.The commissioner, who identified funding as the biggest challenge confronting the sector in the state, also noted that even if the entire budget of the state were committed to education, more money would be needed.She called on managers of the sector to always ensure judicious as well as transparent application of the available resources to achieve optimal results.Her words: 'The employment of more teachers, provision of computers and adequate infrastructure in schools, and the development of tertiary institutions are all priorities that compete for the limited resources and this calls for optimal use of resources.'She maintained that the responsibilities of her ministry were weighty and fundamental, insisting that failure was not an option.She declared that all students, teachers, school managers and responsible citizens owe a duty to enhance the growth and development of the sector in the state.Ugo, however, expressed worry over the low science orientation of the students' population in the state 'in spite of Governor Gabriel Suswam's effort in developing science and technology education.
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