Date: 2014-10-16

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has restated the readiness of government to handover grant aided schools to proprietors who express the desire to wholly run the schools just as it is ready to fully take over those schools whose owners are desirous of handing them over to government.

Governor Ahmed who stated this in Ilorin at an interactive session with stakeholders in the education sector drawn principally from faith and community based schools in the State, stressed that government has sent the necessary Bill to the State's House of Assembly for appropriate legal backing for this new education policy.

The governor assured stakeholders that government will pursue every opportunity that guarantees every child access to qualitative education for the greater good of the society.

According to the governor, the new policy would be guided by transparency, collective responsibility and focus on the future of the Kwara Child. "If we want a brighter future for our children and the nation to compete favourably in the International Community we must be concerned about the quality of education we deliver to the future leaders", the Governor said.

Governor Ahmed, who promised government's resolve to ensure equity, justice and fairness in making quality education accessible to Kwarans, told the stakeholders that it has become imperative for government to review the concept of grant aiding faith and community based schools in compliance with modern realities.

"Every stakeholder in all sectors of the society must comply with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which guarantee freedom of worship for all and sundry. This is the way we can continue to live in peace", the Governor charged.

The Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, in his remarks commended the State government for initiating the interface between government and the stakeholders in the education sector.

He said through dialogue much would be achieved in sustaining peace in the State, especially when rumours are not allowed to foster.