Stakeholders in the education sector in Edo State have called for legislation to strengthen existing laws, taking cognizance of recent trends and technological advancement in the sector.

They made the call at a two-day roundtable organised by the Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Education, headed by the member representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, Honourable Donald Okogbe.

In a paper titled “Legislative Leadership for Education Reform”, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yekini Idaiye, spoke on the role of the legislature in creating a coherent, accessible and future-ready education framework.

The Speaker, represented by the member representing Oredo West in the state Assembly, Hon. Richard Edosa, pointed out that education remained one of the most important investments needed in the future of the state.

In his presentation, an expert in Public-Private Partnership, PPP framework, Mr. Michael Uwaechie, advocated the PPP model to fund projects in the education sector.

Mr. Uwaechie noted that income from the Federation Account and Internally Generated Revenue alone could not adequately fund the education sector, hence the need for PPP.

In their contributions, the representative of the Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics of the institution, Professor Osagie Eghator, and the Vice-Chancellor of Edo University, Iyamho, Professor Victor Adetimirin, emphasised the need for leaders to stand up for what is right.

The university dons stressed the need for the government to ensure implementation of legislation and policies on education for the purposes they were meant for.

Also, the Edo State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Dr. Osagie Ogbomo, said malpractice was not limited to the education sector alone.

He said for the rot in the education sector to be addressed, government should tackle corruption in every sector of the economy.

Representatives of technical and vocational institutions in the state called on government to pay more attention to blue-collar jobs by investing in the training of artisans and other skilled workers.

Earlier, the Chairman, Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Education and member representing Akoko-Edo II, Honourable Donald Okogbe, said there was a need to review the framework governing the education sector to meet modern realities.

He said the forum would define and provide legislation on critical issues such as what constitutes a school, teacher-pupil ratio, facilities required in schools and other basic requirements that make schools true academic centres.

Hon. Okogbe expressed concern over the poor state of infrastructure in schools, examination malpractice and inadequate legislation, calling for the promotion of technological advancement to turn things around in the sector.