Education
USAID, NERDC Launch Local Language Learning Book
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) have launched the new Igbo and Yoruba Early Grade Reading Material with the title Ka anyi guo! and je kakawe! respectively.
Speaking at the Virtual Launch Ceremony last Thursday, USAID Mission Director, Anne Patterson, said the resources would expand the availability of quality local language teaching and learning materials for reading in Nigeria.
Patterson stated that the materials targeted all Igbo and Yoruba speaking primary grades one to three learners in the southern region.
Patterson said that the materials were developed by the Research and Development Council with support from USAID Education Initiative (NEI) Plus activity, maintaining that the new Igbo and Yoruba curricula would be available for any interested state to adopt,print and distribute with their own resources.
In her words,”teaching children to read in a language they understand equips them with a powerful tool for life long learning. Building foundational reading skills accelerates English learning acquisition and other skills and contributes to developing a new generation of leaders equipped to help Nigeria meet the challenges ahead”.
USAID mission director said the curriculum was tailored for a 21st century audience of emerging readers revealing that it was rich with culturally relevant stories, colourful pictures, gender-based representation as well as a clear sequence of content that gradually builds upon the ability of each learner as new skills and proficiencies were required.
“Let’s Read’ promotes active learner engagement, comprehension and critical thinking through three levels of institution that ensure learners develop critical skills necessary for all aspiring readers: Phonemic awareness, Phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension,” she said.
Patterson further revealed that the comprehensive curriculum package included learner textbooks and workbooks, teachers’ guides and storybooks for practice in school or at home, saying”all available at no expense for download”.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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.