Education
Students Of Govt Schools Cry For Attention
While some government primary schools in Rivers State are receiving adequate attention with the construction of classrooms and provision of modern amenities to enhance proper teaching and learning activities, students and teachers in government secondary schools are crying for attention owing to the deplorable condition under which they are forced to operate.
Investigations by The Tide reveal that Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri, Port Harcourt boasts of 10 chairs for a class of 100 students in JSS1B, similar thing applies to the other 12 arms of JSS 1 in the school.
Also, JSS 2A has chairs for only 8 students in a class of 96.
The situation is more pathetic in the SSS classes, which have dilapidated roofings, no windows and doors, even as 80 students occupy a small room as a class room.
When The Tide visited the school on Friday, the principal of the senior secondary school was not available but the principal of the junior secondary school, Mrs Preye Brown, stated that a representation had been made to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Board and that they are waiting for their response.
At Community Secondary School, Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, students were seen sitting on window frames, with some standing outside looking through the windows while some were seated on the floor while receiving lectures. The same thing is applicable in Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri.
Some students who spoke to Tide The stated that in addition to lacking teachers in several subjects, there is congestion of students in classrooms fit for an average of 20 students.
Some of the science students also complained of lack of laboratory.
The Tide’s Education findings at the Post Primary Schools Board also revealed that schools at the remote areas suffer even more.
The source in the Board who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that at Government Secondary School, Ekede in Andoni Local Government Area, only the principal, vice principal and two teachers handle all the subjects from JSS1 to SSS III.
At County Secondary School, Kula in Akuku-Toru LGAs, only the principal and vice principal undertake all the subjects from JSS1 to SSS III.
The source continued that this situation is similar in most of the interior schools, particularly, the riverine areas.
“How can students from this schools compete favourably in the SSCE and NECO with schools that are better in terms of having more teachers and better classrooms,” the source asked rhetorically.
Also, The Tide source revealed that at GSS Umuagbai, they have dilapidated classrooms which compelled them to use the Assembly hall for all classes. This is in addition to the lack of teachers handling various subjects.
Attempts to reach the state Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrance Nemi to comment on teh situation proved abortive.
Further attempt to speak with the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Ofuru, also did not yield any result as the head of public relations said the permanent secretary was not on seat.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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.