The teachers are Idehen Ejiye Isaiah of Eguare Primary School, Ujiogba, in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA); Erhabor Osasumwen Priscillia of Aisologun-Akenzua Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha LGA; Ogboko Edoghogho Yvonne of Okogbo Primary School, Okogbo, in Orhionmwon LGA and Noragbon Enogie Osaru, Head Teacher, Emotan Primary School, Oredo LGA.
The trip, according to the Special Adviser to the governor on Basic Education and Chairman-designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, is a form of motivation for the selected teachers, who will showcase in practical terms the reform by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to Edo people in the Diaspora.
“SUBEB created an online portal two weeks ago, asking teachers in Edo State to apply or nominate someone for the all-expense paid trip to Toronto, Canada.
“The criteria included that they should tell us about themselves and why they think they are the best for the trip. At the end, we got 89 entries. After screening we came up with the semi-final list. Those picked were made to face a panel. One Head Mistress, Noragbon and three teachers finally got the slot to represent Edo State in Canada after the final selection. Their passports were processed on Wednesday,” Dr. Osa Oviawe said.
In a message to the selected teachers, the SUBEB boss explained that the trip would be a mixture of educational and sightseeing experiences, as the teachers will meet with Edo people in diaspora, visit schools in Canada and also key government functionaries.
According to her, “You are going to Toronto on the Governor’s entourage to attend the annual convention of Edo people in diaspora. By God’s grace, we will aim to leave by August 29th. So, prepare yourself. After the convention, you will stay behind and will visit schools in Toronto and surrounding areas. If there is time, we will visit Ottawa, which is the Canadian capital.
“We will do a tour of the Canadian Parliament and visit the residence of the Governor General of the country. The Governor General is the symbolic head of state of Canada, representing the Queen of England. If there is time, we may also visit Montreal, the French speaking part of Canada. Part of the school visit will be to observe their open day amongst other events.”
She said the teachers will be expected to talk about Edo-BEST to the Edo Diaspora at the annual convention and urged them to be honest about their experiences in the programme.
Governor Godwin Obaseki will be leading the Edo State Government’s delegation to the convention in Toronto, Canada, and will be showcasing a bouquet of programmes, projects and policy reforms to the Edo Diaspora, which includes the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens, Edo-BEST, the state’s new security architecture, and the outcomes of the aggressive industrialisation drive in the state.
