Education
Association Harps On Qualified Teachers
The Rivers State Chapter of the National Association of
Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), has harped on the need to employ
qualified teachers as members of the association so as to proffer lasting
solution to the nagging challenges in the education sector.
The state chapter of the group, Dr. Peter Harrison, said
this last week while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt as part of the
activities to mark this year’s NAPPS day.
Harrison regretted that school operation has become all
comers affairs, thereby encouraging quackery in the system.
He explained that professions like law, medicine and others
have those registered with them as their members.
According to him, several school owners are not registered
with NAPPS, saying that such people are putting the lives of the children on
line as they lacked the requisite teaching knowledge.
The NAPPS leader also hinted that government would soon come
up with conditions that would checkmate the activities of intruders in the
system.
Those that would meet up with the conditions he said, must
be teachers or ex-teachers who are duly registered with the National Teachers
Council (NTC) who are also members of NAPPS.
The Tide gathered that NAPPS are faced with over 10
different forms of taxation, with the hotbed at Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Eleme,
Oyigbo and Port Harcourt City Councils.
He stressed that such levies/taxes are not so in other
states, adding that his association has taken the matter to the Rivers State
House of Assembly for consideration.
About the Rivers State government’s moves to have all
business premises in the state registered with the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, he said negotiation is still on, while calling on members to resist
moves to pay money to any group.
He was optimistic that government has recognised NAPPS
contribution in education development, as he appealed with members to maintain
such tempo.
It would be recalled that NAPPS has set aside every October
12, as its celebration day.
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.