EDTF seeks Federal Ministry’s Support for Global Educational Funding.

In a renewed push to strengthen teaching and learning across Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) on Thursday sought the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate access to international funding and development partnerships.

At a high-level engagement held in Abuja with the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Abel Enitan, the acting Chairman of the EDTF, Professor Francis Sikoki, who led the delegation, emphasized the urgent need for the state to be included in global educational support programs such as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) fund. Professor Sikoki noted that while the EDTF has made considerable strides in transforming education in the state, the current scope of support from international development partners remains insufficient; stressing that Bayelsa, due to its topographical and infrastructural challenges, is at a disadvantage in terms of access and quality of education, thus requiring stronger federal backing and global assistance. “Despite what we have done, we have only achieved limited success in the area of development partners’ contribution,” he said. “This is because most of them channel their contributions through your Ministry. We pray you to use your good offices to consider our state for inclusion in GPE projects and other related initiatives, to ensure that the standard of education in Bayelsa State receives the needed attention for the betterment of our society.”

Also speaking, Engr. Philip Slaboh, a consultant to the EDTF on development partners, identified several high-impact areas where federal collaboration could attract significant donor funding; including: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), robotics, coding, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging tech-driven learning programs. Slaboh stressed that foreign aid and programs in these areas could drastically improve the quality of education and skill development in Bayelsa State. “We seek partnership in areas like robotics, coding, and AI — areas we’ve only just begun to explore,” Slaboh stated. “We are really looking forward to expanding these in Bayelsa. We’re aware that Coderina is already doing something with the Ministry, and we would appreciate Bayelsa’s inclusion. We’re also focused on TVET, and we know that GIZ is supporting that sector. With the Ministry’s intervention, we believe Bayelsa can benefit from such opportunities.”

In response, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abel Enitan, commended the EDTF for its proactive steps in pursuing national and international collaboration to uplift education in the state, acknowledged the unique challenges faced by Bayelsa and assured the team that the Federal Ministry of Education is open to working closely with them. “You are here for the right cause — the cause of education,” Dr. Enitan remarked. “The Ministry will support you. I believe the Honourable Minister will be most delighted to look in your direction because you have a peculiar situation in Bayelsa. I’ve received your strategic plan, and we’ll study it carefully to identify areas that can be addressed immediately. The Ministry is already in engagement with GPE, and discussions around extending their support have been agreed upon.”

Highpoint of the visit was the formal presentation of a Strategic Education Plan for Bayelsa State by the EDTF delegation to the Ministry.