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COVID-19: NGO Introduces Distance Learning Programme For Pupils

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The Universal Learning Solution (ULS), a UK-based non-governmental organisation , has introduced distance learning methods for pupils to learn at home while on lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mr Gary Foxcroft, said in a statement in Kaduna Friday that the initiative was under the NGO’s Nigerians Educate Everywhere at a Distance (NEED) project.
Foxcroft explained that the project was developed as part of ULS’s response to the Covid-19 crisis, to ensure that pupils were learning at home while schools were closed.
“As soon as school closure was announced, ULS produced 50 episodes of Jolly Phonics television and radio lessons series for Nigerian pupils.
“We have also developed free Jolly Phonics and Africa-based story reading Apps which can be assessed at http://www. jollyphonics.ng” including audio and video content.
“There are also a range of free worksheets and activities that could be downloaded to keep children occupied at home,” he said.
For families with no electricity, Foxcroft said that ULS would be sending SMS messages and a full Jolly Phonics lessons course, developed in bite-sized chunks for parents to assist their children learn at home.
He explained that the Jolly Phonics teaching strategy focused on the use of dancing, singing gestures and demonstration using the sounds of letters to help pupils learn to pronounce English words.
According to him, this fun and effective English literacy teaching method has been proven to dramatically raise early grade literacy levels in Nigeria and other countries of the world.
He said that the Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Abia, Anambra, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Ekiti States had embraced the project.
He added that the states were currently airing the jolly phonics content on a range of radio and television stations to keep pupils occupied with education activities while at home.
“We wish to implore all state government and development partners to work with us to promote Jolly Phonics distance learning programme to enable children access the right to literacy from home,” he said.
Our source reports that the chairman of Kaduna SUBEB, Abdullahi Sani, while introducing the radio learning programme, described Jolly Phonics as an “effective method” of teaching pupils on how to read.
Sani said that the method packed with fun and multi-sensory approaches using sound of letters, singing and dancing, enabled pupils learn how to read and write with confidence.
“It is packed with activities that children love, making them feel they are playing but are learning how to read English and Hausa words,” he said.

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Education

‘Our Target Is To Go Beyond Academic Accomplishments’

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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

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Education

Niger Delta Students Suspend Protest Against NDDC In PH

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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

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Education

Administrator Inspects School

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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.

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