Efio-Ita Nyok|4 July 2016|8:03am
Recently, concerning the policy of the present political administration of Cross River State to introduce a foreign educational curriculum from Canada into the state's educational system, the former erstwhile Chief of General Staff to former Governor Liyel Imoke, Dr Alex Egbona had taken a swipe at the PDP led policy in the following words, 'I think we don't need another school if we can not fund the existing schools in the state'. http://www.negroidhaven.org/2016/07/c-river-doesnt-need-canadian-school-fix.html?m=1
However, the Governor of Cross River State has responded to Dr Egbona's disapproval by informing him that he is in Canada to elicit Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the North American country to the state. His reaction was made through one of his aide, Arc Eric Akpo, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters, who last week in a social media debate on the need of the Canadian Model School had asked an interlocutor a rhetorical question: 'So we shouldn't bring in FDI?'
For Governor Ayade, bringing in a foreign educational-curriculum into the state is encouraging foreign direct investment. Do you agree?
Meanwhile, Ikom, Cross River-born Atlanta-based international development consultant, Princewill Odidi, has frowned against the present move of the government of Cross River to introduce Canadian educational system in the state educational curriculum. In his words, 'A young village kid would prefer an exercise book, pencil, school uniforms and a little roof above his head, rather than an elitist foreign educational-curriculum that does not serve local purpose'.
Odidi further observed that Cross Riverians needed little to nothing to learn from Canada. He advised towards our resorting inwards to address educational needs: 'one thing we need to look inwards and resolve is education. let the white-man world adapt to our unique educational system that blends culture and learning. To be frank, in terms of education, we have very little to learn from the white-man', Odidi added.
The influential social commentator also aired his voice on the ongoing ITM, Ugep brouhaha. He describe the issue as a sensitive one, noting that ITM, Ugep maybe too expensive for state government maintenance ability: 'On Ugep ITM, it is a sensitive subject, but it is sometimes difficult for a state government to maintain a high class public school. The meager federal allocation does not help matters. I think our leaders should focus and plan, count the cost before engaging in unsustainable ventures'.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroidhaven.org (Negroid Haven)
