Education
WAEC Advocates National Honours For Teachers
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it has reached an advanced stage with plans for the hosting of the 37th annual conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA).
The council’s Head of National Office (HNO), Mr Olu Adenipekun disclosed this in an interview with newsmen, last Saturday in Lagos.
The theme of the conference is: Innovations in Educational Assessment.
He stated that the conference, slated for Aug. 4 to Aug. 8, would seek to put to the fore, new developments in the area of educational assessment and standards, as well as assessment of candidates.
“We are happy to state here that preparations for the upcoming conference in Abuja are in top gear and have reached an advanced stage.
“This year, Nigeria will be hosting the annual conference which was hosted last by Lesotho in 2018.
“The association is a continental body for assessors, examination bodies, institutes and Faculties of Education and universities are also represented in it.
“We meet once in a year where we bring to the fore, situations in areas of educational assessment across the world. Like you may know, the last conference was hosted by Lesotho, where Nigeria was given the hosting right and elected as the Vice President of the conference,” the WAEC boss said.
According to him, members of the association want to also bring to the fore, new developments in the area of educational assessment, not just in Africa, but the world at large.
He noted that participants would want to see the things required to ensure that assessment and standards in education and other key areas are up-to-date, remain valid and ensure that its integrity was intact.
According to him, participants would also want to see how they are responding to new challenges, financing, as well as the development of human capital.
On whether the council had plans to review upwards, stipends paid to examiners who participate in the marking of examination scripts of candidates, Adenipekun said: council cannot equate their services in monetary value, considering their contributions to nation building.
“It is something that is quite clear to us that teachers who serve as examiners to us need to be given enhanced remuneration.
“But let me state it clearly here that the operations of WAEC are largely based and dependent on the teachers.
“For instance, the items which are the raw questions are developed by the teachers, the questions that are so developed are moderated by the same teachers. And when these questions are so moderated, the conduct of the examinations themselves are handled by the teachers and then the standard fixing is also done by the teachers.
“So one will see that as a council, we only provide the enabling environment to ensure that the procedures are followed rigidly, as well as provide the necessary leadership in the area of bringing to the fore, new and positive developments,’’ he said.
“You know, once you share knowledge and you see that knowledge translates to human development, it gives one an unquantifiable sense of joy and self fulfilment that transcends monetary gains.
“We, therefore, acknowledge their contributions to national development and the need to continue to encourage them, which we have been doing, through the continuous improvement of the remuneration of our examiners.
“But also, let me state clearly and this is a fact that the teachers are not in the employ of the council full time.
“They only work for us on part-time basis for a period of time, basically during the marking of examination scripts.
“During this period, we normally inform both the Federal and state govenments, just to let them know that we will engage the teachers for a period of time.
“WAEC does not charge economy fees. What we charge for the examination is strictly limited. It is never given a free hand to charge economy fees because education at the secondary level among the five member nations of council is considered as a social service.
“So, the same way we now plead with our ad hoc staff, supervisors, examiners, checkers, by putting our cards on the table for them to see that what we are all doing is contributing to the development of our dear country,’’ he said.
Adeniekun, however, assured that the council would continue to strive to find means of continually reviewing upward, the stipends being paid the examiners.
Education
Hardwork, Unwavering Focus Key To Success -VC
Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule, has tasked newly admitted undergraduates to be hardworking and be more focused to their academic works as this, among others is key to success.
Prof. Okugbule also warned students to desist from joining secret cults, and engaging in examination malpractices, among other vices.
The Vice Chancellor stated this in his address at the 42nd matriculation ceremony of the university for the 2023/2024 academic session, held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to Prof. Okogbule, a total of 9,035 were formally admitted into the university.
“Today, a total of 9,035 candidates, who have satisfied the minimum requirements for admission into various programmes of the university are being formally admitted as students.”
The breakdown of the new students and their faculties is as follows: Faculty of Agriculture – 360 students ; Basic Medical Sciences – 1,085; Communication and Media Studies – 1,061; Education – 606; Engineering – 1,271; and Environmental Sciences – 268.
Others are: Humanities – 755; Law – 250; Management Sciences – 816; Science – 1,814 and Social Sciences – 479 respectively.
The Vice Chancellor added, “You are therefore expected to take your studies seriously and do not waste your valuable time on unproductive ventures or activities.
“Let me inform you that this university has zero tolerance for all forms of anti-social activities, such as membership of secret cult groups, examination malpractices or what is now known as ‘sorting.’
“The penalty for involvement in any of these activities is rustication from the university, and I do not waste time in doing this once a student is found culpable.”
Okogbule, however disclosed that RSU Students’ Affairs Directorate has a list of ‘registered and acceptable clubs’ the students can belong to in the university to assist them in extra-curricular activities on campus.
He advised, “In order to encourage academic excellence, the university has a policy of declaring as University Scholars those who attain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.00 at the end of every academic session.
“The university will be responsible for the school fees of such students provided their CGPA does not fall below 4.50. In addition, such students, upon graduation, will be given preference when employment opportunities are available.
“The expo I will give you in this regard is that it is easier to make the 5.00 CGPA in 100 level of any programme. So the best time to strive to achieve this feat is now.”
He pointed out that RSU, among others, has become top choice higher institutions in the country for many students, following the infrastructural development and the non-disruption of academic activities in the institution for several years, saying, “Freshers should count themselves lucky to have been admitted there.”
While commending parents and guardians whose children are matriculating for their vision and sacrifices, Prof. Okogbule urged them to monitor their wards activities while on campus.
Education
Rector Gifts Best Students N400,000 As Edo Poly Matriculates 9,150
The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State last Friday matriculated 9,150 new students into various courses of study offered at both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.
This was as the Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr. Man Yahaya Sani gave the sum of N200,000 cash gift each to two National Diploma students with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average.
The students are; Waliu Babatunde Bamidele from the department of Library and Information Science and Babatunde Joshua Ifeoluwa, a student of Mechanical Engineering, both with a CGPA of 3.98.
Sanni in his address, said the management is committed to providing an all-round education in a conducive, friendly teaching and learning environment.
The Rector noted that only 59.5% of candidates who signified interest to study in the Polytechnic were eventually admitted.
He added that the polytechnic had secured 18 new programmes at both the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels, taking its total to 64 programmes.
The Rector admonished the new intake to emulate the recipients of the cash gift and avoid bad companies that can lead them to violate the rules and regulations of the institution and jeopardise their admission.
“My dear matriculating students, I want to congratulate and welcome you all for finally making it here despite the tedious and rigorous processes that you passed through. You indeed struggled to scale the hurdles of Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) and of course our own Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (POST-UTME) Screening before gaining admission to this prestigious Polytechnic.
“I must not fail to tell you loud and clear that the Polytechnic has zero tolerance for cultism and other sundry anti-social vices i.e. riot, looting, arson, disobedience, examination malpractices, drug abuse, drunkenness, cheating, disrespect for constituted authorities, indecent dressing etc.
Education
Bill To Increase UBEC Funding Passes Second Reading
A bill for the amendment of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC Act to increase its funding from the consolidated revenue from 2 per cent to 4 per cent has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Chairman of House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Bako Useni, stated this during the committee oversight function at the Digital Resource Centre, built by UBEC, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The centre was built for the training of teachers on digital education in Nigeria.
Bako said the 10th Assembly saw the need to increase financial resources to the basic education sub-sector for set objectives to be further met, hence, the amendment bill sponsored by Muktar Shagaya to increase revenue accruing to UBEC from 2 per cent to 4 per cent.
“The amended bill, which passed the second reading on Wednesday, when concluded, will make UBEC stronger.
“Since UBEC was established in 2004, to date, a lot has been achieved. However, the House felt that if UBEC is motivated with more funding, it will go a long way in achieving more of what it has achieved.
It was on this basis that one of us, Honourable Mukhtar Shagaya, proposed an amendment to the UBEC Act to increase funding to UBEC from 2 per cent to 4 per cent from the Consolidated Revenue Fund,” he said.
used to reshape those in the senior and management cadres of the basic education sub-sector.
The National Coordinator of the Digital Resource Centre, Professor Bashir Galandanci, said the Digital Resource Centre is part of the effort of the commission to transform the agency into a digital era.
-
Education4 days ago
Old Students Plan N1bn Rehabilitation For Ekiti School
-
News4 days ago
Police Mourn Six Slain Officers, Declare Six Others Missing In Delta
-
Rivers2 days ago
HYPREP Completes Six Water Projects, Three Booster Stations In Ogoniland
-
News2 days ago
Fubara Dissolves Sanitation Task Force, Appoints Interim Head
-
Nation5 mins ago
Mbah Inaugurates ESUT Governing Council
-
Politics4 days ago
Osun PDP Alleges Plot To Arrest Govt, Party Officials
-
News4 days ago
Nigeria Scales Global Aviation Safety, Security Audit
-
News2 days ago
The European Union (EU) says it will end its five-year Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, on April 14. Mr Damilare Babalola, the National Programme Manager, ACT, said this on Tuesday at a brief event in Port Harcourt. Babalola said that the conclusion of the programme would automatically mean an end for the 21 CSOs based in Rivers. He stated that the EU-funded programme, valued at 13.1 million euros, was executed by the British Council across 10 states, with a presence in the 36 states of the federation. “The programmes’ goals are to assist CSOs in becoming more credible, accountable and effective agents of change, for sustainable development in Nigeria. “The implementation focussed on providing capacity-building skills, referred to as capacity development support to CSOs, to enhance their effectiveness. “Additionally, it aimed to evaluate the regulatory environment for CSOs and promote strategic coordination among them and other key stakeholders in terms of collaboration and advocate, for appropriate legislation and regulations,” he explained. Babalola identified the benefitting states as Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The ACT programme commenced in 2019 and will officially conclude on April 14, marking the end of five-years of active implementation in the country. “Rivers was among the states where we initiated the programme during our phase two launch in 2020, and we are here to formally close the ACT programme in the state. “ACT has addressed significant challenges affecting the effectiveness and impact of civil societies, especially in creating an enabling regulatory environment,” he added. He expressed confidence that in spite of ACT’s departure from the country, civil society groups have gained sufficient capacity to effectively carry out their responsibilities in their respective focus areas within the communities. The programme manager noted that 273 CSOs benefitted from the programme across the country, with 233 CSOs receiving capacity-building training and 40 others trained to enhance regulatory conditions. In his remark, ACT Rivers Focal Person, Mr Temple Oraeki, emphasised the importance of CSOs collaborating with the state government and international donor agencies to advance their programmes and projects within the communities. “The 21 CSOs, comprising of eight community-based organisations and three network coalitions in Rivers, now serve as our ambassadors, equipped to make positive impact in society. “Therefore, we are leaving behind organisations that are credible partners for the government and international donor agencies to execute their programmes in communities,” he said. Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers, expressed the state’s readiness to engage with CSOs to implement government policies and programmes in the various communities where they operate. Represented by Diokuma Ismael, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Fubara lauded the EU and British Council for their interventions in the state. “The success of the ACT programme has undoubtedly enhanced the value of civil society organisations in the state and nationwide. “We are prepared to partner with the CSOs that have impacted communities, once all necessary documentations are concluded. “However, it is crucial for CSOs to adhere to proper regulations, to enable the government to identify with them for sustainable development,” he said. Fubara urged the civil society groups to align with the state government’s policy to drive positive change in the communities.