Certainly, all over the word education remains the main forceful engine and tool to liberate human race from bondage. Education remains the oil needed world wide to enhance human existence on earth. Education has made man to choose to change in certain ways he experience his problems. Education has made man choose to act, think and know how to live. Centuries and ages long age, education has created a complete different universe right before our very eyes. Education has enhanced limitless thoughts and revealed glorious possibilities of seeing the world though a mind that is free. Education has made man transcend all known philosophies, logics and reasons to see and enter into unique world that are created by man. Education has been and would remain the pillar and rock upon which nations socio, political, economic, industrials and every area of human Endeavour hangs on.

Education is the imparting or acquisition of knowledge and skills. It is a learning process designed to enable a person to live effectively for himself for the society in which he operates to place the person with wise choices and possibilities that can be democratically operated to maximize intellectual, social, occupational psychological and civic development of an individual for betterment of his society.

In the past many AkwaIbomites have been handicapped and faced with challenges of acquiring quality education which forced many into modern slavery of house boys and girls. Many who where able to go to school went under stressful and difficult circumstances. Hence the decision of these present government to put an end to this challenging elements, obstacles and modern slavery of house boy and house girl mentality. By introducing free and compulsory education policy as a tool to liberate AkwaIbomites and create balance equal opportunities for all and sundry residing in the state so as to expose the children earlier on the efficiency and potentials of their personal development which will open them to life free from ignorance.

Since the introduction of free and compulsory education last year, the policy has been interesting and welcomed by all. As more determined as the governor, and his team are seriously involve in ensuring the total success of this policy, so has the masses, ethnic groups, socio-political organization and professionals bodies woken up to embrace this policy by being united to ensure its total success.This policy is a clear reality of what free education means to the citizens of my state and what in accordance with this policy it will historically be compelled to impact on every lives and indigenes of the State as this reveals the essence of eliminating old social system of things, by awakening the consciousness and determination of the masses to advance positively in the society. Indeed the position of the government in fighting all negative vices and giving hope to the citizens is determined by how educationally advantage and enlightened they are by having a right mindset so that the crucial aspects of intellectual advancement, revitalizing and raising the state to its full potential can be achieve.

Huge amount has bee spent to finance the policy. Depleted school buildings home be renovated. Opportunities are provided for special education of disabled and physically challenged persons. Adults education is also organized and provided for adults to enable them read and write, have a vocational training and develop on a particular skill. The government has exercise an effective control to ensure the success and sustenance of this policy by ensuring that no child with the age bracket of going to school is found lottering or selling during school hours. The school curriculum embodies the necessary things that should be thought in the primary and secondary schools aimed at producing intelligent, responsible, well informed citizens who take active interest in the world around them. Basic skills which pupils and students will use through out life are thought. They learn Godly moral values, the rights and duties of citizens that would designed and mould them to meet up with the future task ahead. Teachers are trained, disciplined, and motivated to be dedicated in discharging their duties. There have been impressive increase in the number of pupils and student’s enrolment with great zeal to take advantage of this policy that gives them hope to be useful to themselves, to their family, their State, Nigeria and the world at large.

The gains and impacts of the free and compulsory education are numerous to mention. Its socializing role pertaining to modern democracy has been brought to forefront since the governor come into power.On the 22nd September, 2009 through direct corresponding phone in radio and television programme organized by the Pathfinders the citizens including a close friend of mine called in and talked to the governor directly form Calabar concerning issues bothering the messes. The bold bombarding of questions by the citizens to the governor has created the impression that access to knowledge is now free and that socio, political and economic distances could be eliminated and government policies and agendas can be question directly and explanations made by the governor himself. Free education is an essential tool for teaching men to communicate better and draw greater benefits form exchanges established between the masses and the government in determining their destiny. We will control our social and physical environment by making our future better than the past. We will posses skilful abilities and purposeful sense of accomplishment and responsibilities through proper research that lead to discovery of advanced techniques of doing things without destruction to the upliftment of man existence .

The experience of free education policy in the state is valuable means for steady creative enhancement of people’s moral and socio, economic self worth. When the children are ripe they will realize the magnitude of its own power, clarifies their mind, forge their will positively and begin to look towards becoming aware of vital interest of the state. Disparities, imbalance and inequalities of gender will be eradicated and emergence of a “new improved” and rebrand man capable of varying degrees of being fashioned day by day in his/her habits of thinking and attitudes. The policy is a cardinal change in the history of Akwa Ibom State in shaping the destines of the present and future generations unborn. It is a new phenomenon of national distinction and significance worthy of emulation by other states.

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Making these policy compulsory has force every child in the street out of his and her remote corner and has made obedient citizens out of every father, mother and guardian. The policy indicates the ways and means of making Akwa Ibom State a land of fulfillment. This is a glorious inheritance that must last forever. With the children’s future assured, unborn generation will forever remain grateful to Akpabio’s role in making them attain greater height. These policy should be supported by all.The role played by Oba Oluwadare Adepoju(111),Deji Akure kingdom and other bodies and groups is highly commenabi NGOs, Cooperates bodies, professional groups and bodies, business men, political heavy weights etc should be actively involve as co-builders of this “strong institution” to make it more qualitative by training, development, empowering the students for self realization which will intensify a vigorous onslaught against socio, economic backwardness and its attendant vices such as militancy, kidnapping, prostitution, arm robbery,youth restivenesss etc.

Udom,is a policy analyst,researcher,human potentials and life optimazation coach

08076158749. reatmindlegacy@yahoo.com