Secretaries Want Engagement Of Core Subjects Teachers

Education Secretaries under the banner of National Association of Education Secretaries of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter have called on the Rivers State Government to engage more core subject teachers in public schools.

The body made the plea during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi last Thursday in Port Harcourt.

Chairman of the body, Mr Samuel Dodd Gilbert said the gap created by the low teacher and pupils ratio in core subject areas, especially in Mathematics and English was not healthy.

The Rivers State Education Secretaries Chairman also tasked the state government on the provision of official vehicles to facilitate the performance of their official functions and payment of allowances.

Mr Gilbert however congratulated the commissioner on her re-appointment and pledged the association’s commitment towards driving the state’s goals of attaining the best quality in education.

In his remarkes, Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Mr Richard Ofuru urged the education secretaries to be part of the changes in the educational synergy by working in energy with boards and zonal directors to move grassroots education forward.

Later, Dame Nemi  assured the body of government’s resolve to assist them in the discharge of their duties.

The commissioner enjoined the education secretaries to assist in driving the new Information and Communication (ICT) Teacher training scheme as the success of the new education policy  hinged   on the programme.

On the other hand, the Commissioner for Education had given contractors handling the new Model Secondary Schools in Omuma, Oyigbo and Emohua local government areas of the state two weeks to complete their projects or have their contracts terminated.

Giving the order during a meeting with the contractors in Port Harcourt last Thursday, Dame Nemi said they had a responsibility to deliver their own part of the contract after they had been paid.

She further emphasised that any contractor who failed to mobilise to site would be considered an enemy of the state after the expiration of the ultimatum.