- Safiu Kehinde
The Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Eric Odo, has vowed to arrest parents of any child hawking goods during school hours.
Odo said this during the inauguration of Public School Supervision Committee (PSSC) of the council area, at the council’s headquarters, Ogbede, on Monday.
He pledged to do his best to reposition public schools in the council area as a strategy to end out-of-school syndrome.
The Council chair charged the PSSC to ensure that out-of- school children would be enrolled back to school, adding that the council would provide uniforms, bags, sandals, and other things needed to achieve the aim.
He stressed that there was no reason for any child not to be in school while urging the council to ensure that teachers would use government-approved curriculum to ensure quality learning.
“Children must go back to school and school must return to what it was. We will treat any sick child and provide one meal per day for pupils, if need be.
“I want the PSSC to reposition primary education in Igbo-Etiti, and we will provide operational vehicles to enable the committee to succeed.
“I expect the committee to submit weekly reports on schools visited as well as observation made, including punishment for teachers who fail in their duties,” Odo said.
The council boss also charged the PSSC to fish out ‘mushroom private schools where unqualified persons destroy, instead of nurture young minds.
According to him, his administration will not only close such schools but will also arrest the proprietors.
Speaking on behalf of the PSSC, the chairman, Amadi Aroh, commended the council boss for demonstrating good leadership.
Aroh promised that the committee would deliver on its mandate.