The Edo State House of Assembly has begun a legislative overhaul of the state’s secondary education system, moving to scrap a 38-year-old Bendel State law and establish a dedicated board for the administration of senior secondary schools.
The move, which signals an attempt to bring Edo’s education laws in line with contemporary realities, followed the passage for second reading of a bill seeking to repeal the 1988 Bendel State Education Edict on Monday
The development is coming amid growing calls across the country for states to review outdated education laws and strengthen institutional frameworks for the effective management of schools.
Leading debate on the bill, the House Majority Leader, Hon. Ojezelle Osezua, said the continued operation of the old edict was no longer consistent with the realities of a rapidly changing society.
He argued that legislation must evolve with societal needs, stressing that laws should not be allowed to remain static when the circumstances they were designed to regulate had changed.
Osezua said the proposed legislation would provide the legal framework for the establishment of an Edo State Secondary School Board, which would be responsible for the administration of senior secondary schools in the state.
He explained that the proposed board would complement the functions of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which oversees basic education, including primary and junior secondary schools.
According to him, separating the administration of senior secondary education from the existing basic education structure would provide greater focus and improve coordination, supervision and management of senior schools across the state.
Seconding the motion, the Minority Leader, Hon. Natasha Osawaru Idibia, said the proposed law would strengthen the administration of senior secondary schools and create a more effective institutional framework for the sector.
Hon. Maria Edekor and other lawmakers who contributed to the debate also backed the proposed repeal, stressing the need for the state to modernise its education laws.
Following the debate, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Education, chaired by Hon. Donald Okogbe, representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, for further legislative consideration.
The proposed reform places Edo among states seeking to reshape their education governance structures in response to changing demands in the sector, with lawmakers expected to subject the bill to further scrutiny before its passage.
Meanwhile, the House received a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo requesting the timely amendment of the Edo State Child Rights Law.
The governor’s request was referred for legislative consideration as part of efforts to update the state’s legal framework on child protection and welfare.
The Assembly also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Chief Dan Orbih, a prominent Edo politician and former National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The lawmakers paid tribute to Orbih and acknowledged his contributions to political development and public life in the state.