The Director, Pre-Primary, Primary and Special Education (PPSE) Mrs. Esther UmohEkot presenting gift item to the overall best student, Sylvester Inemesit Etim, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Nsa Bassey during the 2023 Graduation Ceremony of the Special Education Centre, Uyo.
Abasifreke Effiong, Uyo.
The Akwa Ibom Special Education Centre, a school for physically challenged children and inclusive education, has hosted a send-off for her 2022/2023 graduands and the immediate past principal of the school, Mrs Esther Unung.
Over 150 students, 79 of them from the secondary arm of the school, completed their studies in the current academic session in the school.
The send-off held at the school’s playground, Udo Udoma avenue, Uyo, on Thursday 27th July, sandwiched with lots of exciting attractions, including cultural and contemporary performances in dance, drama, songs, and ballad performed by pupils and students of the centre, featured presentation of prizes to pupils and students who distinguished themselves in their respective classes.
The Principal of the school, Mrs Emem Abasi Isaac, called for the institution of academic awards for students in the Centre to further boost their interest in academic works.
The Principal of the Special Education Centre, Uyo, Mrs. EmemAbasi Isaac reading her address at the 2023 Graduation Ceremony of the Special Education Centre, Uyo.
Mrs Isaac appealed for the renovation of borehole and broken classroom floor, overhauling of electrical system in the school as well as construction of speed breakers on the access road leading to the Centre.
The principal lauded Governor Umo Eno for “fully supporting the idea of inclusive education as stipulated in the national policy on education.”
“The policy as it were is aimed at putting an end to stigmatisation and instilling in students the spirit of self-reliance”, she said.
Mrs Isaac congratulated the graduands and thanked the former principal of the school, Mrs Esther Unung, for her “excellent works in the school” which according to her “will continue to be an inspiration for years to come.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey, who served as mother of the day at the sendoff party congratulated the graduands on their successful completion of their studies and commended Mrs Esther Unung, for setting high expectations for students and teachers.
The Director, Material Resources, Mrs. Ekaette Ekpo, State Secondary Education Board (SUBEB), presenting gift item to one of the best performed students in the School on behalf of the Chairman of the Board, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon during the 2023 Graduation Ceremony of the Special Education Centre, Uyo.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director, pre-primary, primary and special education in the Ministry, Mrs Esther EkotUmoh, thanked Governor Umo Eno and his wife, Mrs Pastor Patience Umo Eno, for raising the bar of support for the education of special children.
“I wish to commend the effort of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno and his dear wife for the commitment they have shown in the education sector. Recently, a cash donation of N5 million was presented to a visually impaired law school graduate, Mr Emmanuel Ekanem.
“The Governor recently instituted a N100 million education intervention fund to physically challenged students residing in the State as part of his administration’s policy on education”, Lady Bassey stated.
Presenting a charge to the students on the topic, “The world is waiting for you”, the Director, Pre-primary, Primary and Special Education in the Ministry, Mrs Esther EkotUmoh, urged the students to emulate great men and women who grow up with disabilities but never allowed themselves to waste away.
She implored the outgoing SS3 students to fully utilise the knowledge they acquired through the entrepreneurial and skills acquisition programme offered by the school under the State government’s integration project.
Mrs EkotUmoh encouraged the students to foster good habits, learn from mistakes, learn from professionals, plan for their lives, focus on their goals and maintain good relationship with God.
The Chairman, State Secondary Education Board, Dr Ekaette Okon, represented by the Director, Material Resources in the Board, Mrs Ekaette Ekpo, commended management and staff of the Centre for their devotion to the care and service of the children.
Academic prizes were given to Master Slyvester Inemesit Etim, the overall best student in the secondary section, and Kheziah Anietie Bassey, best performed pupil in the primary section. Students trained in entrepreneurial and skills acquisition programme were given starter packs.
Cross Section of the 2023 Graduands of the Special Education Centre, Uyo, during their Graduation Ceremony.
In demonstration of her appreciation to the students, the former principal of the school, Mrs Esther Unung, among other gifts, presented cash prize of N10,000 each to the best student in Mathematics, Emmanuel Uduak Effiong, best visually impaired students in English Language, Gift Ime Udo, and best student in Chemistry, Blessing Mesonma.
She presented N20,000 cash to teachers who were exceptional while she served as principal.
Mrs Unung said children living with disabilities should be encouraged.
The event which was graced by members of the State Secondary Education Board, Management and Staff of Special Education Centre, parents and guidance.
Certificates were also presentation to students who took part in a skill acquisition programme organised by Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (YEDI).
