The Dean, Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Professor Livinus Ogbondah has commended the Bayelsa State Government and the EDTF for the passionate efforts toward providing quality and sustainable education to impact in the lives of the people of the State.

Professor Ogbondah made the commendation while receiving the EDTF monitoring team, who were in the university to assess the progression of 15 special education students sponsored by the EDTF. He lauded the EDTF for floating the monitory architecture towards the assessment of performance of the students to ensure their successful completion of their programme.

The Dean appreciated the Bayelsa State Government for providing the educational needs of the less privileged, particularly the physically challenged.

He said the University was fast developing and has contributed immensely to the development of Nigerians including Bayelsans.

Also, speaking, the Head of Education Psychology, Guidance and Counselling Department, Professor (Mrs.) D.C Inko-Tariah also appreciated the EDTF and Bayelsa State Government for sponsoring the Special Educational Teachers.

According to her, the Special Education students have been enriched with enormous potentials noting that one among the Special Need Students recently won Miss Education Pageant Contest making the department proud.

She lauded the students for being of good conduct and studious, expressed optimism that the student’s will graduate with good grades.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the EDTF Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, Professor Francis Sikoki appreciated the Special Education Department of the University and expressed satisfaction with the students’ progress and the special attention given to the State scholars.

Prof. Sikoki said the visit was necessary for planning as the scholars gear towards graduation and convocation.

While interacting with the students, Professor Francis Sikoki expressed joy over their performance and emphasized the importance of special education in the educational sector which led to the establishment of School for Children with Special Needs, Opolo to give equal opportunities to all Bayelsa children irrespective of the challenges and state of birth.

According to him, the EDTF’s decision to provide scholarship grants to fifteen (15) indigenous students in the University is with the view to cushion effect of acute shortage of teachers in the School for Children with Special Needs, Opolo.

He expressed appreciation that, during the three years of their study, no negative complaint was recorded and commended one of the Special Education Student

who won Miss Education Award noted that the EDTF was proud of the feat.

Professor Sikoki applauded the students for their diligence and urged them to be good ambassadors of Bayelsa State at all times and be prepared to participate in the development of the State upon their graduation.

Speaking on behalf of the students, Zachariah Faith, Agaragbo Thank-God Amaitari and Paul Amakeme expressed happiness and appreciated the EDTF and Bayelsa State Government for the support and for giving them the opportunity to study as Special Education Teachers promising to successfully graduate with good grades at the end of the programme.