The Ondo State government says it will continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education on educational policy reforms to ensure quality and accessible education for all.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State reaffirmed this on Monday in Akure during the opening of the 69th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting.

The theme of the five-day summit was “Quality Education, Data, and Professionalisation of Teaching: A Tool for Enhanced National Development.”

Mr Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, said the state recorded significant strides in reshaping its educational landscape in line with the seven-point agenda named “OUR EASE.”

The governor stated that the policy aligns with the resolutions of the NCE and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education.

According to him, the state recognises the centrality of education in sustainable development.

“This has been the driving force propelling policy reforms and implementation in the education sector of the state. Efforts have been directed at enhancing access to and the quality of education in Ondo State.

“Such efforts include, but are not limited to, investment in digital education infrastructure, such as the gradual introduction of smart classrooms, digital literacy programmes, and technology-based learning tools.

“This will prepare our learners for the demands of the 21st-century knowledge economy. The theme of the meeting is coming at the right time, as it will address Nigeria’s contemporary challenges facing the education system,” he said.

The permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, said the effectiveness of any educational system is also determined by the quality of data.

“This informs policy decisions and the professional competence of teachers who deliver learning outcomes.

“Both quality education data and professionalisation of teachers are indispensable tools for achieving measurable and sustainable progress in our education sector. Without accurate, timely, and reliable data, policy decisions risk being driven by assumptions rather than evidence,” he said.

Mr Enitan, therefore, urged all delegates to engage actively in the deliberations, share innovations from their respective states, and collectively develop actionable resolutions that would further strengthen the sector.

Similarly, Akindele Ige, administrative secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said the present administration had continued to prioritise education as the cornerstone of sustainable growth and human capital development.

According to him, the meeting will advance the cause of education in the country and strengthen collaboration between the federal and state ministries of education.

He urged all participants to reaffirm their commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive education systems for national transformation and sustainable prosperity.

(NAN)