Education
NUT Appeals For Release Of Promotion Arrears
The iIgerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State Chapter, has appealed to the Rivers State Government to release teachers’ promotion and implementation of arrears of 2009 and 2010.
The NUT decried a situation whereby teachers’ promotion are delayed for quite number of years in the state.
The Chairman of the Union, Comrade Moses Adiela, who made the appeal in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said that even those promoted remain on the same grade levels and steps for several years.
The NUT boss, however, said that the teachers in the state receive their salaries as at when due unlike in the past when salaries were delayed for months.
He described the working environment for teachers in the state as conducive and lauded the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, for creating peaceful working atmosphere for teachers especially in payment of salaries. “I know that when the classrooms in the new model secondary schools are fully equipped and commissioned, no teacher will complain of unconducive environment”, Comrade Adiela emphasised.
Also, he commended the state government for the just –concluded training and re-training of teachers and acknowledged that the National Teachers’ Institute (NUT), is complementing the efforts of the government in re-training of teachers in the state.
On the 2011 World Teachers’ Day Celebration entitled: “Teaching for Gender Equality”, Comrade Adiela, said that the theme for this year’s celebration was chosen by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), adding that NUT in the state is also championing crusade on gender equality.
He expressed happiness that President Goodluck Jonathan has equally addressed the issue of gender equality with the appointment of 35 per cent of women in his cabinet.
He urged parents and guardians not to abandone the girl-child pointing out that days have past when the training of female-child was neglected.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the state government to implement the new minimum wage along with the Teachers Salary Structure so as to avoid another agitation by teachers in the state.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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.