BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU/JUDITH OBIANUA
The Delta State Coordinator, Civil Society Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Mrs. Juliana Nzemeke, has emphasized that education is not merely about acquiring knowledge but about unlocking potential, fostering critical thinking, and empowering individuals to shape their own destinies while building resilient communities capable of addressing future challenges.
She made the appeal during the 2025 Education Summit organized by CSACEFA with support from the Education Out Loud Project, held at the Delta State Secretariat. The summit, themed “Education Financing, Rural Education Disparities through Enhanced Budgetary Provision in Delta State”, focused on bridging gaps in rural education through improved funding and government support.
According to Mrs. Nzemeke, the event was aimed at drawing attention to lapses in the state’s education sector, particularly in rural areas, and at seeking collaboration from government, stakeholders, and communities. She stressed that globally, education remains the foundation for innovation, understanding, and social resilience.
Representing the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekadeyan was the Director of Planning, Mrs. Fidelia Atogun, commended the summit and praised the organizers for choosing a theme that reflects the pressing challenges in rural schools. He assured participants that government was making efforts to improve conditions in underserved areas.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Michael Emeshili highlighted the meaning and benefits of educational financing, describing it as a system that ensures access to quality education regardless of background.
He explained that it involves allocating resources to critical needs such as tuition support, infrastructure development, and school operations.
Dr. Emeshili urged policymakers to address disparities between rural and urban education by committing to consistent and equitable budgetary allocations. He emphasized the need to prioritize funding for rural schools and take decisive steps to close the gaps in educational opportunities across the state. In his remarks, the Director of Patmon Community Development Centre, Eku, Mr. Monday Ifoghere, identified the major challenges faced by rural schools, including shortage of teachers, poor infrastructure, and security issues. He noted that many teachers posted to rural communities often refuse to resume duty, thereby worsening the learning environment. He called on the civil society coalition to unite their efforts and speak with one voice in order to drive meaningful change in the education sector.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of a Policy Brief analyzing the 2022–2025 Delta State education sector budget, with a specific focus on funding gaps and how far the budget falls short of meeting international standards.
