Education
Principals Advocate Return Of Boarding Schools
Principals of Secondary Schools in Rivers State have called
for a return of boarding system in secondary schools.
The Chairman, All Nigerian Conference of Principals of
Secondary Schools, (ANCOPSS), Rivers Chapter, Dr. Augusta Fubara, made the call
in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
She spoke at a one- day Public Hearing on the Rivers State
Education Quality Assurance Agency Bill, 2012.
The bill, which seeks
to establish the Rivers State Education Quality Assurance Agency, has been
undergoing various legislative processes in the state House of Assembly.
Fubara said that part of the factors responsible for the
falling standard of education in the society was the dearth of boarding system
in secondary schools.
She called on the government to re-introduce the boarding
system in secondary schools to revive the reading culture of students for
greater productivity.
The ANCOPSS chairman said that lack of adequate control of
students by teachers as a result of the dearth of boarding system had affected
the behavioural pattern of students in schools.
Fubara said that inadequate supervision and control of
students by teachers and school authorities as a result of lack of boarding
system in schools was also responsible for the falling standard of education.
She called for a return to the boarding system in secondary
schools so that teachers and other relevant authorities could have enough time
to supervise and control students to perform better.
Fubara said that when students left schools by 2 p.m. and on
getting home, they were sent out to hawk plantains, pepper, leaves and bananas,
“when would they have time to read their books at home?
She said if the boarding system was in place and students
were always in school, teachers and other relevant authorities would exercise
proper and adequate control over them to perform better.
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.