Education
Experts Challenge Stakeholders On Kindergarten Education Dev
Stakeholders in the education sector have been challenged to brace up and live up to their responsibilities for desirable development of Kindergarten education in Nigeria.
Prof. Ngozi Osarenren, lecturer in University of Lagos gave the charge at the third National Conference on Kindergarten Education held in Port Harcourt, Thursday .
The Don expressed worry that even when national curriculum by the Ministry of Education spells out the roles of the government, parents and teachers, these critical stakeholders either neglect or compromise their roles.
Prof. Osarenren, who was former Commissioner for Education in Edo State accused some school inspectors and supervisors of collecting bribe to write favourable reports on schools that were not meeting curriculum demand by Ministry of Education.
According to her, a situation where inspectors give notice of date of visit to school heads only for such schools to stage make-belief classroom environment, prepare lavish entertainment and give out envelope containing huge sum for fuelling of inspectors’ cars contradicts the set objectives.
The conference which was organised by Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), brain-child of Rivers State governor’s wife, Dame Judith Amaechi also blamed parents for not living up to their roles.
“The governor’s wife is helping to train your child in kindergarten school but as parents you are expected to ensure your child gets up early, eats well, dresses well and know what happens in school”, she remarked.
Also in another paper by a United States of America based educationists Betty Hall emphasised that effective curriculum is the road map for educating the child and a tool for the teacher.
In her paper titled; How To Identify Effective Curriculum for Kindergarten, she noted that research showed that by the age of 4, a child’s brain is more than twice as active as that of an adult adding that if pupils perceive learning to be enjoyable at that early age, it would drive the individual child on the journey of life long learning.
She said that children learn by observing, exploring, imagining, discovering, investigating, structured learning, collecting information, play, sharing and non-threatening environment.
The lecturer reiterated the need for involvement of all stakeholders in effective curriculum planning.
She also remarked that some child have difficulty in writing noting that when a children finds it difficult to write at age 7, such a child desires extra assistance.
Eunice Choko-Kayode/Chris Oluoh
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.