By Ononye VC
Wife of the Governor of Anambra State,Dr Nonye Soludo has expressed worries over the rising degeneration of morals and societal values in schools and the society in general and called for urgent steps from education stakeholders to stem the tide.
Dr Nonye Soludo was speaking on Tuesday during a one day Congress organized for stakeholders in Education in Anambra State by the Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB),Awka which was held at the International Conference Centre,Awka.
Theme of the Congress was,”Moral Regeneration and Value Reorientation at the Basic Education Level:the Role of Education Stakeholders in Anambra State”.
According to the Governor’s wife, the degenerating level of morality and social values in classrooms call for immediate and collaborative approaches or the society risks losing the fight completely.
She noted that much of the fight must begin from the home where, she said, has been largely affected by societal pressure and has thereby lost the bond and sacredness which once held the unit together.
She insisted that the blame for the current moral and social downturn goes to everyone, including parents, guardians, religious and community leaders who have lost sight of their ultimate responsibilities.
She therefore, called for a comprehensive reassessment of existing strategies, pointing out that if the war must be won, there needs to be a more practical steps to tackle the problems from their roots.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Baord (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nwadinobi who convened the congress,said that basic education is the foundation of moral, civic and intellectual capital, adding that it is during formative years that character is cultivated, and values internalized.
She explained that the job of stakeholders is critical in restoring shared values and morals, noting that the congress must spring into action, turning policies into practice and intentions to impact on system.
The chairman of the event, Chief Clement Nwogbo, in his address, noted that stakeholders must understand the urgency of the problems, as educational values are akin to character and ideological reforms.
He pointed out that investments in education would amount to waste if the right values and orientations do not define the products of the important sectors.
Other speakers and discussants at the event included university teachers, Professors Emeka Ezeonu and Chukwuemeka Nwanegbo, the Executive Chairman of Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, a former provost of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Dr. Ego Uzozie alongside other stakeholders.
