Education
RSUBEB Member Tasks FG On TTC
The Federal Government has been urged to establish Teachers Training Colleges at both state and Federal levels in order to meet the required manpower needs of education sector.
The Board Member 1 in the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) Hon. Lucky Worluh gave the charge over the Weekend in Port Harcourt while exchanging views with newsmen.
Hon. Worluh explained that teachers would do better if they are exposed to the current training pointing out that other professionals like medical doctors and lawyers always do well because of series of professional training they under go.
He however noted that the country has improve in the area of educational development called for reintroduction of “fail and repeat” in our educational system so as to correct the damages done to education sector by the introduction of the JSS/SSCE by Military administration in late 1980s.
According to him, the implementation of the JSS/SSCE programme should not have removed the fail and repeat, policy in the school system stressing that the current policy tends to encourage carry over of failed pupils from the primary to Secondary level thereby leading to the mass failure recorded in external exams such as West Africa Examination Council and national Examination Council in recent times.
He also blamed the examination bodies for the mass failure and decay in the educational system, due to the failure to supervise exams properly.
The educationist also attributed some of the problems in the education. Sector to the establishment of private schools, saying that they are only interested in making profits than bringing sanity to the system.
He shared the views of President Goodluck Jonathan who anchored the falling standard of education in the country on past education ministers, adding that Governor Amaechi’s three years administration was worth celebrating due to the development in education sector in the state.
Worluh, who also gave his nod to the state of emergency declared in the education sector by Governor Amaechi, argued that some of the national policies on education needs to be abrogated and key into Rivers State programmes.
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.