The Cross River State Ministry of Education has officially launched the annual school census for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions. The event, which took place on Tuesday at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Calabar, aims to collect data from public, private, and technical schools across the state. This data will serve as a foundation for effective planning and decision-making in the education sector, ensuring that policies and programmes are tailored to meet the needs of the state’s educational landscape.
During the opening ceremony, Senator Stephen Odey, the state’s Commissioner for Education, addressed stakeholders and expressed his gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu for his unwavering support and dedication to improving the education system in Cross River State. He emphasized that the school census is a crucial step in strengthening the state’s educational system through improved planning and collaboration between key stakeholders.
The data collected from the census will be instrumental in shaping future educational policies and initiatives in the state, in line with Governor Otu’s vision for a progressive and inclusive education sector.
“We are working tirelessly to reposition the education sector in Cross River State. We thank Governor Otu for funding the West African Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees for 14,804 students who passed their mock exams, ensuring that their costs are fully covered,” Odey stated.
Additionally, Odey shared exciting news about the approval of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa. Signed into law on January 8, 2025, the university’s establishment will further enhance the state’s educational infrastructure. The Governor also approved the release of a take-off grant to kick-start the university’s operations.
Another key development highlighted by the commissioner is the digitization of all academic results in the state. This significant step allows results to be accessed globally, making verification and accessibility of academic records much easier for students, parents, and educational institutions.
Odey underscored the critical role of accurate data collection during the census, describing it as essential for guiding future educational planning and the effective allocation of resources. He urged all involved parties, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers, ministry directors, and other stakeholders, to ensure the census is conducted in a thorough, transparent, and error-free manner.
“The data collected must be accurate, as it will guide future planning and allocation of resources,” he added.
The commissioner also acknowledged the support of Teckplus Digital Solutions, Future X, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), and the Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Proprietors (ANCOPPS) for their partnership and contributions to the state’s educational system.
Adebayo Adeyemi, the Chief Operating Officer of Future X, praised Odey for his leadership and dedication to advancing the education sector in Cross River State. He noted, “The education sector has witnessed remarkable progress since Senator Stephen Odey assumed office. Cross River State is lucky to have him in this role.”
Mike Egre, a National Council member for the South-South Zone of NAPPS, assured stakeholders of the readiness of private schools to fully participate in the census. He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that the census materials are distributed promptly to guarantee the success of the initiative.
“Private schools are prepared and committed to transparent and accurate data collection,” Egre said.
This initiative is a crucial step in ensuring that Cross River State’s education system continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of its citizens. The data collected will play a significant role in resource allocation, policy development, and fostering collaborative partnerships between public and private sector players in the education space.
