During the flag-off, I addressed Education Secretaries, Executive Secretaries, Education Management Information System (EMIS) Officers, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), the Association of Public School Heads of Nigeria (AOPSHON), and other education stakeholders from the 18 Local Government Areas.
I conveyed the Governor’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the education sector through evidence-based planning and effective policy implementation. Cross River State recorded an outstanding performance during the last Annual School Census, and I challenged all stakeholders to surpass that achievement by ensuring that every school is captured through credible, accurate and timely data collection.
Accurate education data remains the foundation for informed decision-making, equitable resource allocation and attracting interventions from development partners, including the World Bank. With the Federal Ministry of Education’s digital monitoring platform, every Local Government Area’s performance will be monitored in real time, making accountability and prompt data submission essential.
I urged all stakeholders to approach this assignment with dedication and professionalism, emphasizing that there will be no room for negligence or poor performance. I also encouraged public and private school proprietors to cooperate fully, assuring them that the information collected is solely for educational planning, policy development and improved service delivery, not for punitive purposes.
Together, let us continue to support the People First vision of Governor Bassey Edet Otu by ensuring the successful conduct of the 2025/2026 Annual School Census and sustaining Cross River State’s leadership in educational development.