The need for stronger collaboration among parents, schools, government, religious institutions and society to revitalise education has been emphasised at the maiden education summit organised by the Ondo Diocesan Education Commission (ODEC).
The summit, held at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hall, Akure, attracted more than 240 participants, including teachers, school administrators, parents and other stakeholders in the education sector.
Declaring the summit open, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Jude Arogundade, called for stronger government support for mission-owned Catholic schools, advocating tax exemption for the non-profit institutions.
He urged stakeholders to work together to expand access to education, while challenging parents to promote societal values through proper upbringing, rewarding good conduct and correcting wrongdoing.
The Secretary of ODEC and host of the summit, Reverend Father Dr. Valentine Omolakin, identified parental neglect and the migration of teachers as some of the challenges confronting the education sector.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adenike Temidayo, the Chairman of the Committee of Deans, Professor Simon-Oke Olayemi, called for a reassessment of stakeholders’ responsibilities and renewed commitment to fulfilling them.
In his keynote address, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Professor Chika Asogwa, highlighted the respective roles of parents, teachers, government, religious institutions and society in delivering sustainable quality education.
In a goodwill message, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, commended the Catholic Diocese for organising the summit, urging stakeholders to move beyond blame and embrace collective responsibility for shaping the younger generation.
Ajibefun stressed that every properly nurtured learner represents an investment in the future, warning that neglecting character development and practical skills could lead to wider societal challenges.
Orange FM report that the summit reaffirmed the importance of a united approach to education, with the home serving as the foundation for upbringing, schools promoting learning and character formation, society providing support, and the church offering moral guidance.
