Bayelsa Assembly Education Committee Commends EDTF Interventions, calls for Discipline at Technical College
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Education, on Thursday, embarked on an oversight visit to the Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) Okaka and the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (IITH), Yenagoa, to evaluate the impact of interventions provided by the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF).
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Brass Constituency 1, Dr. Charles Daniel, who led the team, emphasized the importance of prioritizing hands-on learning over theoretical instruction in technical education, pointed out lapses in discipline observed at GSTC Okaka; as he expressed concern over the need for better supervision and noted that the principal would be invited to the House for further discussions and recommendations. The Committee Chairman, however, commended the EDTF Board for its remarkable strides in revitalizing the education sector across the state, while urging the rector of IITH to continue optimizing the use of the equipment provided by the Fund. “From what the school used to be, there is a whole lot of improvement, especially due to EDTF’s intervention,” Dr. Daniel remarked. “But we are still emphasizing that the practical aspect should be prioritized above the theoretical approach we have in many secondary schools. We discovered some level of indiscipline and so many lapses that need to be addressed. We will invite the school’s management for interaction to advise them where necessary. On the IITH, about 80% of the equipment we saw there were purchased by the EDTF. Our advice to the Rector is to continue making the best use of these resources. The EDTF has done a great job, but periodic upgrades are still necessary.”
In her remarks, Executive Secretary of the EDTF, Dr. Alice Atuwo, applauded the Education Committee for its oversight role and noted that the outcomes of the Fund’s investments are visible in all beneficiary schools; particularly lauding the IITH for not only putting the provided equipment to good use but also enhancing and improving upon them. “At IITH, you can see the seriousness of the institution and how they’ve put our sponsored equipment to excellent use,” she said. “The management is sound and intentional. We’re all witnesses to their success, even in bread production today. But at the technical college in Okaka, there are still signs of indiscipline. This calls for further engagement with the Science and Technical Education Board to strengthen oversight and improve management.”
On his part, Rector of the IITH, Professor Apuega Arikawei, expressed appreciation to the EDTF and the state government for their leadership and commitment to educational growth, noted that the interventions from the EDTF have reduced the need for external assistance in addressing institutional challenges; while appealing for continued support, particularly in accessing additional funding and addressing remaining gaps. “We thank the government for this initiative — it has gone a long way in providing what our school needs,” he said. “For instance, we were provided with a four-deck oven and mixer, but couldn’t operate them without power. Thankfully, they approved the procurement of a 150KVA generator, which you saw today. That support helped us secure full accreditation for our Hospitality Department and paved the way for us to launch our HND program.”
Lawmakers who were part of the oversight visit included Member representing Brass Constituency 2, Hon. Timi-Omubo Agala; Member representing Sagbama Constituency 3, Hon(Mrs.) Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown; Member representing Kolokuma-Opokuma Constituency 2, Dr. Wisdom Fafi; and Member representing Yenagoa Constituency 3, Dr. Ted Elemefur