House Committee on Education Reviews Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board and Examinations Development Center Operations

The House Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, led by its Chairman, Hon. Osita Eze, recently conducted an oversight visit to the Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board (ESSELB) and the Examinations Development Center (EDC) to review their progress and operations. This visit is part of the Committee’s commitment to ensuring transparency and effectiveness in education-related initiatives in the state.

Mr. Nkwuo Chigbo Peter, Head of Administration at ESSELB, welcomed the House Committee and introduced his team. Hon. Eze introduced the attending members of the House Committee, including Deputy Chairman Hon. Malachy Onyechi, Hon. Magnus Ede, Hon. Anthony Nwankwo, and Mrs. Nwafor (Secretary). The meeting focused on updates since the Committee’s last visit, particularly regarding scholarship programs for Enugu State students.

Mr. Peter reported that 20 students had been successfully enrolled in the scholarship program, though payments were temporarily halted due to the transition of government. However, with the approval of the Executive Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, over ₦200 million was allocated to cover the scholarships and penalties, ensuring that all outstanding payments, including student stipends, were cleared.

He emphasized that the scholarship program operates on a merit-based, transparent application process, receiving submissions via social media, followed by a thorough shortlisting of eligible candidates. Additionally, ongoing discussions with the Commissioner of Education aim to revive a mentorship program for scholarship beneficiaries.

The Board has also secured scholarships for 60 children from Smart School Owo, with 25 males attending the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) and 35 females attending Holy Rosary College (HRC). Furthermore, the Board has collaborated with the Enugu State Students’ Union and other partners to fund additional scholarships, including a recently approved scholarship program for over 140 Enugu State students pursuing their first degrees.

During the visit, the House Committee advised the Board to maintain detailed records of all scholarship recipients and to ensure that beneficiaries contribute back to the state. The Committee reiterated its support for the Board’s mission to enhance educational opportunities for the state’s indigenes and urged the Board to provide regular progress updates.

Visit to the Examinations Development Center (EDC)

The Committee also visited the Examinations Development Center (EDC), where they were warmly received by Chief Registrar Mr. Nnajiofor and his team. Mr. Nnajiofor provided an overview of the Center's responsibilities, including conducting, processing, and producing examination results for key assessments such as the Transition Examination into Upper Basic, the Basic Education Certificate Examination, and the First School Leaving Certificate.

He highlighted recent achievements, including the shift from offline to online registration for exams and the introduction of online certificates for the First School Leaving Certificate and Basic Education Certificate Examination, allowing students to access and retrieve their certificates from anywhere in the world.

However, Mr. Nnajiofor also pointed out the ongoing challenges faced by the Center. These include inadequate facilities, insufficient manpower, and funding constraints, which have affected the Center's operational efficiency. He appealed for more staff, particularly in the Certificates Unit and among subject specialists, and requested subvention or overhead funding to improve operations. He also noted that despite the Center being a revenue-generating body, it has consistently fallen short of its targets, further compounding the need for financial support.

In response, Hon. Osita Eze assured the EDC of the Committee’s commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring that the Center operates effectively. The House Committee pledged to advocate for the necessary resources and support to enable the EDC to meet its objectives and continue providing critical examination services for Enugu State.

The oversight visits concluded with a reaffirmation of the Committee’s dedication to strengthening the educational infrastructure of Enugu State through ongoing support and collaboration with key institutions like the ESSELB and EDC.