Education
Principals Express Concern Over WASC Registration
Principals of Secondary School in Rivers State have expressed concern over the conditions given to them for the registration of their candidates for the West African School Certificate in the State.
Speaking to The Tide at the State Ministry of Education on Friday, most principals who were at the ministry for clearance before registration of their candidates, said the condition of registration which include possessing of Junior Secondary School Examination Certificate, presentation of evidence of transfer of students admitted in SSS2 to SSS 3, before clearance from the ministry for registration is a problem to them.
Some of them who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that they have been leaving their schools for some time now without being attended to at the ministry, saying the transport difficulties they encounter is enormous especially for those of them coming from the riverine areas.
In a related development, the Principal of Government Comprehensive Secondary school Borokiri has expressed appreciation over the recent supply of 115 chairs for students of the school by the Rivers State government.
Speaking to newsmen on the issue, the Principal of the Junior Secondary School, Mrs Preye Brown said the classrooms have been transformed adding that the students can now learn in a comfortable environment.
According to her, the provision of 115 chairs would go a long way in enhancing students academic performance explaining that a situation when students sat on the floor and windows to learn invariably makes them loose focus and concentration.
“Teachers are equally excited with the development in the school, it has also reduced the job of teachers in the area of checking loitering during school periods, because of the non availability of chairs in the classrooms was an excuse by students.
She further appealed to the State government to supply more chairs to the school to boost leaking.
Also speaking, the Vice Principal, Academic Mr Aforma Ndubuisi said he was highly excited when the chairs were brought to the school premises.
“I feel very uncomfortable when ever I enter the classrooms. The non-availability of chairs has affected the students learning process because it is very difficult for children to learn in an uncondusive environment.
“During examination period, some of the students stand while some are standing at the windows and few are sitting down to write their examination.
This, he said can give rise to examination malpractice because it will be extremely difficult for one to check them.
He expressed appreciation over the supply of chairs by the State Ministry of Education and appealed that more chairs be given to both the senior and junior classes.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.