The Kwara State Government, through the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, convened a broad stakeholders' engagement on Thursday in Ilorin to review proposed reforms in the state's education sector.

Participants praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for adopting an open, transparent, and inclusive approach by involving educators, civil society, parents, and community leaders in shaping the future of public education.

The dialogue brought together key government officials, including Hon. Baba Saliu Boriya, Chairman of the House Committee on Education; Hon. Joana Nnazua Kolo, Special Adviser on Girl Child Empowerment; Mallam Tawheed Abubakar Bello, Chairman of TESCOM; Prof. Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, Chairman of KWASUBEB; and Mrs. Olanrewaju Rebecca Bake, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

Representatives from professional and civil society organisations also took part, including the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON), led by Prof. Laisi Yahaya of the University of Ilorin, ANCOPSS, AOPSHON, CSACEFA, NUT, CAN, NAPPS, AMIS, PTA (represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Oniye), and School-Based Management Committees (SBMC) led by Baba Temim.

Students, scholars, religious leaders, and community representatives further enriched the discussion, ensuring diverse perspectives were considered in crafting sustainable, equitable, and effective education policies.

The session marks a critical step in the state's commitment to building a resilient, modern, and learner-centred education system.

Discussions at the engagement centered on key policy issues, including the introduction of student identification numbers, fairness in student placement, regulation of sporting facilities, transfer processes, abolition of unhealthy practices, reuse of textbooks, and the revival of debate clubs and societies in schools.

Speaking at the forum, officials of the Ministry noted that while announcing policies is not the most difficult part of reform, ensuring effective implementation and sustainability requires active participation of stakeholders.

"We do things with our people, not for them," the Ministry stated, underscoring the government's commitment to inclusive policy-making in the education sector.