The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) on Tuesday donated educational equipment and learning materials to 225 public secondary schools and five technical colleges across Bayelsa.

The benefitting schools are drawn from the eight Local Government Areas across Bayelsa.

The items include desks and chairs, technical drawing and studio equipment, books, notebooks, lesson notes diaries, teaching aids amongst others.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the premises of Bayelsa Ministry of Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, Commissioner for Education, applauded the EDTF for living up to its mandate as an interventionist agency in the education sector.

He acknowledged that previous tenures of the EDTF board under the supervision of the ministry have performed creditably leading to improved learning outcomes across all levels in education.

In his remarks, Prof Ebimieowei Etebu, Executive Secretary of the EDTF noted that the event was a milestone for education stakeholders in strengthening the foundations of education in Bayelsa.

“Firstly I want to express heartfelt gratitude to Bayelsa State Governor for his resolute support to the Trust Fund. I am equally happy for the synergy existing between the EDTF and other education stakeholders.

“It shows the power of shared vision in the quest for a brighter future for our children. Needless to emphasise that education is the bedrock of any thriving society.

“As Nelson Mandela famously said: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can change the world. In Bayelsa, we are committed to equipping our young people with this weapon, empowering them to be leaders, innovators and trailblazers of tomorrow,” Etebu said.

The executive secretary noted that the learning materials were beyond mere tools but theyhold key to unlocking potentials, sparking curiosity and fostering a love for learning.

High Chief Fidelis Agbiki, Chairman of the EDTF board urged the beneficiaries to judiciously use the learning materials only for the puroses for which they are meant to promote learning.

“This board is operating on the manta: ‘Business Unusual’ and we take monitoring and evaluation very seriously so we want the Principals to ensure judicous use of these materials.” Agbiki noted.

Also speaking, Dr Daniel Charles, Chairman, Bayelsa House of Assembly Committee on Education urged the EDTF to ensure that schools in rural and remote communities were accomodated.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting public secondary schools, Mr Ibegu Robins, Principal, Government Model Secondary School Ogbia appreciated the EDTF for the gesture.

He observed that the spread of the intervention would reach close to 95 per cent of students in the Bayelsa public schools.