Education

NUT Cautions RSG On NECO Exams Cancellation

Published

15 years ago

January 24, 2011

Following the decision of the Rivers State Government to cancel the National Examination Council (NECO) Examinations in public secondary schools in the state, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state has called for a rethink.

Making the NUT position known in an interview with The Tide, Friday, the state NUT Chairman, Chief Adiela Moses said the call for a rethink became necessary because students will suffer for it.

Explaining why government came up with the decision, the NUT Secretary, Apostle Monday Mandah said the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made the position of the state known at a retreat held in Tinapa Resort, Calabar, Cross River State.

Mandah said the Governor hinged the decision of the state on the fact that NECO is not recognised in universities abroad, hence the decision to scrap it.

“The position of the NUT, however, is that since only relatively few Nigerians are opportuned to study abroad, scrapping NECO will only put the common man’s children at a disadvantage.

This is because with the existence of West African Examination Council and NECO, the common man child has more alternative in his aspiration to study within Nigeria.

“NUT is of the view that the two examinations should be open to students, let the students make the choice and not for choice to be imposed on students because that is undemocratic.

On his part, the state NUT chairman explained further that stopping public schools from writing NECO means an indirect way of encouraging parents to take their wards to private schools in order for them to write the NECO Exams.

It will be recalled that in a letter addressed to the Post Primary Schools Board, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Richard Ofuru had stated that the state government directed that public schools in the state should concentrate on the WAEC, while private schools are free to continue with the NECO examinations in the state.

Consequently, the Ministry of Education directed Post-Primary Schools Board in the state to enforce the cancellation of the NECO examination in the state.

“I wish, therefore, to bring your attention to the above decisions and therefore direct that you give effect to their enforcement thereto”, the statement added.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Education

School Resumption:Rivers begins monitoring of compliance to academics standards

Published

7 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

As Secondary and primary schools in Rivers state ,including public and private owned resumes for the first term 2025/2026 academic session today after a one month vacation at the end of the third term 2024/2025 academic session .,the state ministry of education said quality assurance supervisors will resume school visitations and monitoring immediately.

The state ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement signed by the permanent secretary ,

Dr. (Mrs.) Ndidi Chikanele Utchay and made available to the tide ,the statement stated that staffs of department of quality assurance services (SEQAS) in the ministry and it’s agencies will commence immediate routein assessment visitations to all schools in the state, to ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards .

The statement reads thus:

“This is to notify all public and private schools operating in Rivers State that the State Education Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) will commence follow-through and routine assessments immediately, upon resumption of the 2025/2026 academic session. These assessments are designed to:

Ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards.”

“Evaluate the Quality of Teaching and Learning,

Review Curriculum Implementation and Teaching Methods,

Assess Infrastructure and Learning Environment, and

Promote Students Welfare and Overall School Improvement.”

“Consequently, all Public and Private Schools are by this announcement advised to make all necessary preparations and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements. “

The statement also said applications for School approvals and upgrades should be submitted directly to the office of the Permanent Secretary, as negotiations with individuals and agents will no longer be tolerated.

“The state Ministry of Education appreciates your continuous co-operation and commitments to sustaining high educational standards in our dear State.”the statement stated.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

University of Port Harcourt elevates five professor’s on communication and public relations

Published

7 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Governing Council of University of port Harcourt in Rivers state has appointed

five new Professors of Communication and Media Studies of the institution.

This was contained in a Facebook handle of the public relations officer of the university,Dr Sammy Kpenu disclosed that those elevated to the ranks of professor include erudite and world-class Prof. Ntiense James Usua , promoted to professor of Broadcasting,

Prof. Faustina Ginikanwa Nwachukwu – Strategic Communication and Advertising, and

Prof. Benedict Obiora Agbo – Public Relations and Advertising.

Others are,Prof. Sunny C.J. Mbazie , Public Relations and Advertising, while

Prof. Clement Afamefuna Asadu ,was appointed professor of Behaviour and Social Change Communication, of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Our academic activities are AI driven – VC ….declares I’ntl Conf on education

Published

7 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has declared that all activities in the University are AI-driven, stressing the need to prepare the future workforce through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education as a pathway to achieving sustainable development.

He made this remark while declaring open the 4th Annual International Conference of the Department of Science Education, held from Wednesday,at the Faculty of Education Auditorium.

The vice chancellor commended the department for choosing a theme that aligns with his vision for the University and expressed optimism that the conference would produce a communiqué with clear strategies for the future.

Also speaking,the Head of Department, Science Education, Dr. Dorathy Ekineh, stated that the convergence of STEM Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainable Development is crucial in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.

According to her, the conference provides an opportunity to explore, discuss, and collaborate on strategies to equip the workforce with the skills required to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.

Earlier In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo, described the conference as timely, noting that the world is rapidly embracing AI in all sectors.

He explained that the primary aim of the conference is to examine how AI and STEM Education can prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete effectively with their counterparts globally.

Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Cheta Williams, stated that the workforce of the future will thrive at the intersection of STEM, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability.

“If we align our education systems, innovations, and ethical compass, we will not just prepare for the future, we will shape it,” he stated .

He averred that the workforce of tomorrow is already being built today in classrooms, universities, innovation hubs, and government boardrooms,adding that the future is not something to wait for, but something to design and build together.

Also presenting a paper titled “STEM Education and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Future”, Prof. Keziah A. Achuonye from the Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, highlighted the vital role of STEM in driving resilience and sustainable growth.

By: Akujobi Amadi