Bayelsa State Government is to engage the services of 1000 senior retired citizen who are educationist as school supervisors in their localities.

The commissioner for Education, Chief Josephine Izonbodor who disclosed this in her office in Yenagoa while briefing journalists on the achievements of the Ministry since she assumed office also said the sum of N2.332 billion had been paid as bursary and scholarship to deserving students of the state origin in higher institutions of learning within and outside the country.

Chief  Izonbodor stated that the idea is to strengthen learning in all levels of education in the state.

The indigent strudents, according to her, have also benefited from the policy initiated by the present administration, most especially in the areas of award of scholarship, bursary payment and infrastructural development.

She disclosed that N1.36 billion was expended on scholarship award, N966.233 million was spent on bursary payment to all indigenes of the state in higher institutions of learning, while N6.012 billion has been voted for construction of model schools in the three senatorial districts, saying that out of the amount only 25 per cent has been released to the contractors.

She disclosed that plans are on the way to reintroduce boarding in all Senior Secondary Schools, while National Youths Service Corps members are sent to teach in schools, excepting only professionals such as Doctors and Lawyers. 

Reacting to media reports of her arrest by EFCC, Chief Izonbodor said there is no truth in the reports which alleged that N400 million  meant for perimeter fencing of some secondary schools in Yenagoa was mismanaged by her office.

She said the contract for the fencing of fourteen secondary schools in the local government area was awarded for N142 million as against the alleged N400 million adding that it was awarded on credit pending the passage and signing into law the state 2010 appropriation bill.

The Commissioner commended the state Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva for running a transparent administration that accounted for the achievements recorded so for in the education sector.

Describing those flying the rumour against her as enemies of the state, the commissioner said all the contracts were awarded by the state Procurement Board and passed through due process.

In rumoured intention to resign, Chief Izonbodor said it is part of orchestrated efforts of her political opponents, saying she is prepared to serve the state as long as it pleases the governor,

The same people peddling the rumoured of my arrest by the  EFCC, are the same people behind my rumoured resignation from Governor Timipre Sylva’s cabinet”, she stated.