Education
Schools’ Resumption: A’Ibom Reshuffles Attendance Days, Dates
Akwa Ibom State Government has announced its plans to stagger school days for Secondary schools with a population of over 2000 students.
The categorisation, according to the state government, is to avoid congestion and overcrowding of classes as full academic activities commence today for secondary schools and October 5th for primary schools.
The Secretary to State the Government and Chairman COVID-19 Management Committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, in a press briefing last Wednesday said students in JS1-JS3 will attend schools on Mondays to Wednesdays while SS1 -SS2 will attend from Thursdays to Saturdays between the hours of 8am and 2pm.
He said, “Primary six pupils had already resumed classes on Monday, September 21 while Primaries 1-5 are to resume on Monday, October 5, 2020 and end 14th November 2020.
He said the SS1 students would resume today and proceed on holiday from 6th-15 November 2020 and the JS1-SS1 will resume September 28 and end November 14.
“All schools will resume for the first term 2020/2021 academic year on November 16 and end January 30th, the second term will resume February 1, 2021 and end on Thursday 1st April 2021 for the Easter break. All schools are to resume for the third term of the 2020/2021 session on Monday 19th 2021 and end on Friday 23rd July 2021.
“First term 2021/2022 session will commence on 13th September 2021 and end on 17th December 2021.
The SSG assured that COVID-19 had significantly reduced in the state as a total number of active cases stood at eight, while the last tests of 75 persons produced no positive cases.
Ekuwem, however, advised parents and guardians to provide facemasks for their children as the state government would continue to follow the COVID-19 protocols earlier laid out for the reopening of schools.
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.