- Solicits material support, school bus
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – In line with the administration’s ‘People’s First’ agenda, the Cross River State Government (CRSG) has established a Citizens Academy to carter for the educational needs and prospects of vulnerable children across the State.
Located at Ikot Ishie axis of Calabar Municipality, the Academy will take care of nursery and primary education development of children from challenged homes, whose parents are incapable of funding and advancing their learning experience.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Contents, Mr Caleb Awat told newsmen during a media chat that to ensure the objective of establishing the Academy is achieved, modalities are in place for a mobile court to try parents whose children are found roaming the streets during school hours.
Mr Awat said with Cross River gaining global recognition as a Carnival hub, the State government has thought it wise to introduce programmes that would further enhance its reputation and image.
He expressed dismay at the growing number of out-of-school children who are usually found milling around pool betting centres, snooker spots and social events centres at odd hours when they should be in school
The Governor’s Aide explained that the Citizen Academy is tuition free and parents would have no excuse to tender when their kids are apprehended by the Education Marshals recruited by the government to enforce the policy.
On measures to enforce school attendance, Awatt, who hinted on planned involvement of the judiciary, said, “We have met with the State Chief Judge. She also pledged her support for the policy. So, the judiciary will partner with the Local Contents Office and the Education Marshals to set up mobile courts. Any child apprehended in a wrong place at the wrong time will face the mobile court.”
He confirmed that modalities for the long-term sustainability of the Citizens’ Academy are in place, with partners from the United States of America and other external groups indicating interest.
Awat disclosed that the support and encouragement from diaspora agencies and citizens of the State living outside the country is quite overwhelming with most of them already indicating interest to supply educational materials and other items required to ensure the programme achieved the aim for which it has been established by the government.
However, while acknowledging the initial challenges in the take-off plans, the Special Adviser noted the need for assistance, particularly in procuring a School bus for the children.
“We definitely need assistance, both financially and otherwise. We need a bus, we need the school materials, we need more textbooks, because this new term, a lot of parents came with their children for admission and we admitted them.”
