By Jude Atupulazi
A leading contender for the Anambra State Governorship Election in November, Sir Paul Chukwuma, of Young Progressives Party, YPP, has promised a turnaround of public schools, through targeted investments in Human capital and Infrastructure if elected. Chukwuma stated this while congratulating Anambra State children on this year’s Children’s Day Celebration which took place last Tuesday, May 27.
Speaking through his media office, Sir Chukwuma stressed that no meaningful development could occur without prioritising Public Education.
His words, ‘It is impossible to invest in the future or achieve sustainable economic prosperity without bold and deliberate investments in our public Education System.’
He noted that nearly two-thirds of all students in Anambra, were enrolled in public primary and secondary schools, without the institutions getting the needed attention.
‘Infrastructure in many public schools is either decayed or decaying, and a number of teachers are out of touch with modern teaching methods. As a result, many students struggle to compete academically or meet basic knowledge expectations,’ he said, while recalling the golden era of public education.
‘Three decades ago, it was a thing of pride to attend a public school. A First School Leaving Certificate could secure a job in the civil service due to the quality of education received. Sadly, years of underinvestment have reversed those gains, turning many public schools into breeding grounds for societal ills rather than centres of learning. If elected, I will prioritise the overhaul of public education. Infrastructure must be modernised, and teachers properly incentivised to deliver age-appropriate and impactful learning,’ he said.
Chukwuma, who is also, the founder of Olivia University in Burundi, a science-focused institution, underscored the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education.
He noted that as an educator, he understood the importance of STEM Education in propelling societal growth and said his administration would place special emphasis on STEM Education at both the primary and secondary levels, to redirect the minds of Anambra Children toward solution-driven learning, innovation, and creativity from an early age.
Sir Chukwuma extended warm felicitations to all students of Anambra extraction, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence, noting that education remained the surest path to success. This was even as he expressed deep appreciation to teachers across the state for what he described as their selfless and invaluable service, often rendered under challenging conditions.
