The Bayelsa Educational Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and Rotary International, District 914, on Friday donated chairs, desks and tables to three public schools in Bayelsa.

The benefiting schools are Community Secondary School, Yenaka; Universal Basic Education, Yenaka, in Yenagoa Local Government; and Community Primary School, Igbomotoru, in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

Over 200 chairs and desks will sit about 800 pupils/students across the benefiting schools.

Gentle Emelah, commissioner for education in Bayelsa, urged the schools to make good use of the items to justify the investment by the state government.

Mr Emelah commended the EDTF for securing a partnership with Rotary Club to fund the educational materials for public schools in Bayelsa.

On her part, Alice Atuwo, executive secretary at EDTF, applauded Rotary International for collaborating with the fund to produce the educational support materials.

According to her, “This initiative is a testament to our shared commitment to improving the learning environment and promoting academic excellence.

“The provision of desks, chairs and tables will significantly enhance the comfort and dignity of our students and teachers, thus fostering a conducive learning environment.

“The EDTF over the years has purposefully extended its interventions to schools other than the Model Secondary Schools for equity,” she said.

She noted that the support from District 9141 of Rotary was commendable and should be emulated by other organisations, as governments across countries could not fund education alone.

She explained that the fund was currently engaged in the provision of water in schools to ensure a hygienic environment to prevent the students from contracting waterborne diseases and reduce absenteeism.

Ms Atuwo reiterated that the EDTF was an intervention outfit that identified the needs in the education sector and tried to fulfil the needs to improve teaching and learning.

Ayakeme Whiskey, president of Rotary International, District 9141 comprising Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo, noted that the partnership with EDTF was an opportunity to render service to society.

He noted that Rotary International was providing grants to provide electronic learning support and electronic libraries for eligible schools, adding that technology-aided learning had bridged  the gap between rural and urban students.

He said that Rotary International was eager to extend the collaboration with EDTF in other spheres of education.

On his part, Daniel Williams, head teacher of CPS, Igbomotoru, who spoke on behalf of other benefiting schools, thanked EDTF and Rotary Club for the gesture and pledged to protect and put the items to good use.

(NAN)