Protest Greets Bayelsa Govt’s Directives On Schools

Hundreds of workers of the proscribed Bayelsa-owned College of Arts and Science, midweek took to the street, protesting the handing over of the Nursery, primary and Junior Secondary arms of the College to the Ministry of Education.

Threatening to resist the implementation of Governor Timipre Sylva’s order, the state branch of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria, (SSAUTHRIAI), described the decision as uncalled for.

SSAUTHRIAI submitted that there is a law establishing BYCAS, which enables the College to own her Nursery/Primary and Secondary schools, respectively. It, therefore, described as an error, the purported assertion that the Ministry established these schools and handed over to the College for the purpose of efficient and effective management.

However, the State Commissioner of Education, Chief Josephine Ezonbodor in a memo sent to the Provost of the College stressed the need for compliance with the Governor’s directive.

The memo reads in part, “this is to inform you that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva has graciously approved the handing over of the Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science (BYCAS), Nursery/Primary School, Junior Secondary schools to the Ministry of Education”.

Faulting the move, SSAUTHRIAI argued that its Management is capable of effectively managing the schools or departments of the College, and, therefore, called on the government to allow the status quo to remain.

The issue of     Management of the school has become a thorny issue, as the parties involved-Ministry of  Education and the Management of BYCAS-have drawn a battle line over who should be in charge.

The school is known to have recorded excellent achievements as its pupils and students had performed creditably in both state and National competitions.