The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Bassey Edet Otu-led administration to repositioning the education sector through far-reaching reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes and expanding access to quality education across the state.
The Commissioner gave the assurance while receiving members of the Think Cross River Project Group on a courtesy visit to his office in Calabar. The delegation was led by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Think Cross River, Papa Dorn Cklamz Enamhe.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements in the education sector, Senator Odey said the state government’s payment of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration fees for students in public secondary schools has significantly improved academic performance, with the state’s pass rate rising from 65.2 per cent to over 78 per cent. He added that Cross River recently ranked fourth nationally in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
The Commissioner also outlined key reforms introduced by the Ministry of Education, including the harmonisation of academic calendars for public and private schools, the implementation of the 2:00 p.m. school closing policy to enhance teaching and learning, stricter regulation of private schools through mandatory Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration, and the closure of more than 500 unapproved schools operating below prescribed standards.
He further stressed the importance of the ongoing 2025/2026 Annual School Census, describing reliable education data as indispensable for evidence-based planning, policy formulation, resource allocation and attracting support from development partners.
According to him, the establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship is another strategic initiative of the Otu administration aimed at equipping young people with entrepreneurial, technical and employable skills required for a competitive global economy.
Senator Odey commended Governor Otu for prioritising education as a critical driver of sustainable development and assured that the Ministry would continue implementing policies and programmes that promote quality education and sustain Cross River’s rising profile among Nigeria’s best-performing states in the sector.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Papa Dorn Cklamz Enamhe, commended Senator Odey for what he described as his visionary leadership and transformative reforms in the education sector.
He praised the Commissioner for restoring confidence in the state’s education system through innovative policies, teacher capacity-building programmes and sustained investments that have improved the quality of teaching and learning.
Papa Enamhe also advocated the promotion of a culture of gratitude, patriotism and positive values among young people through the school system, pledging the Think Cross River Project Group’s continued partnership with the Ministry of Education in advancing character development and supporting the ongoing transformation of education in Cross River State.
By Patricia Ogbeche
