As part of activities marking the Governor’s second year in office, key ministries embarked on a media tour to update the public on their progress.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, Professor A. Nwobasi of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Education appeared on a live radio broadcast to share updates on primary and secondary education. But while the headlines sound impressive, one is left asking: how much of this is felt in real classrooms?
Take the extension of teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 and the length of service from 35 to 40 years. On paper, this looks like a move to retain experienced hands, but what’s the backup plan to recruit and train fresh talent? Without a pipeline of new, passionate teachers equipped to handle modern learners, the policy risks becoming a way to delay the inevitable—reform. Besides, older teachers staying longer may help maintain numbers, but are they receiving updated training to meet today’s learning challenges?
Then there’s the federal takeover of King David University of Medical Sciences. Certainly, it’s a prestigious development, and one that might improve funding and recognition. But does this change anything for the average Ebonyi student who cannot afford tuition at that level? Has this move translated into increased accessibility, scholarships, or better local health outreach? These are the real metrics of impact.
The 2025 budget for education is said to reflect strong government commitment. But commitment isn’t measured in figures alone. In too many schools across the state, infrastructure remains weak, teachers underpaid, and learning materials outdated. Has there been accountability for how previous allocations were spent? Without transparency and proper monitoring, a good budget remains just numbers on paper.
On May 6, Professor Amari Omaka (SAN), Commissioner for Tertiary Education, addressed broader issues like the 15 million out-of-school children in Nigeria and the 45 million affected by learning poverty. He cited the National Education Sector Reform Initiative (NESRI), under which 25,000 children have reportedly been enrolled and 4,000 Tsangaya teachers trained. While that’s notable, one wonders: where in Ebonyi State were these children enrolled? What follow-up structures are in place to keep them from returning to the streets? Numbers without local context do little to reassure skeptical citizens.
The surge in technical and vocational education sounds promising, especially with health-related enrollment jumping from 28,000 to 115,000 students. Yet, how many of these students are actually being trained with relevant, employable skills? Are the institutions equipped with updated tools, labs, and qualified instructors to make this growth meaningful—or is it merely a numbers game?
Digital education and teacher training also got a mention, with over 202,000 students supposedly benefiting from an Education Data Repositioning Initiative, and 3,198 teachers trained digitally. This sounds futuristic—but how many rural schools even have stable electricity, let alone the digital infrastructure to support this? The gap between policy and reality here is wide.
The launch of a National Anti-Bullying Policy is a step in the right direction. But implementation, especially in public schools where teacher-student ratios are overstretched, remains a hurdle. Without practical enforcement mechanisms, policies remain ink on paper.
Finally, on the matter of student loans, the call for South-East and South-South students to key into NELFUND reflects low regional participation—but again, what efforts has the state made to sensitize students and parents about this opportunity?
Two years into this administration, there’s no denying that some effort has been made in the education sector. However, the real question remains: how many Ebonyians have actually felt the effect of these policies? If government truly wants to make education a legacy achievement, then the focus must shift from announcements and paper policies to practical, visible improvements in classrooms, campuses, and communities.
Education is too critical to be a game of figures and press briefings. The next two years must bridge the gap between effort and actual change—Ebonyians are watching.
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