Heads of Model Primary Schools in Port Harcourt, have denied allegations by parents that the school authorities subscribe to ethnicity and other discriminatory tendencies as the basis for admitting students into the schools.

Reacting to the allegations in Port Harcourt, recently, the Headmistress of Model Primary School, Elekahia, Dame Chinyere Worlu, said admission into the model schools was open to every pupil, irrespective of state of origin.

She said, exams are conducted by the Rivers State Ministry of Education for pupils seeking admission into the schools and only students who pass such exams are admitted.

She added that students’ data disclosing their identities are only captured after the admission, based on a form provided by the ministry.

Also speaking with our correspondent in his office, the Headmaster of St. Andrews Model Primary School, Block 3, Mr Nwikpugi Nwizuga described the allegation by some parents as false, adding that there was no discrimination in the admission procedure.

According to the head teacher, the admission was free and accessible to all, but stressed that not all pupilscan be admitted, as each school accommodates a total of 360 pupils, out of which 30 are estimated for a class.

He said from the entrance exams so far conducted in the school, not all pupils performed up to required standard, pointing out that any child that does not score up to 45% average is asked to repeat a class.

The head teacher, however, expressed satisfaction with the fact that public schools in the state are becoming attractive, contrary to the previous experience when parents withdrew their wards from public schools, describing the development as the fulfillment of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s vision in transforming public schools.

When The Tide correspondent visited Model Primary School, Oroworokwo  in D/Line, and other parts of Port Harcourt, teachers who commented on condition of anonymity, said the process of admission in the schools was transparent.

A top ministry source also disclosed that the admission process was strictly on merit and open to all pupils resident in the state.

It would be recalled that some parents in Port Harcourt had accused the authorities of the model schools of discriminating against non-indigenes in the state in the admission process.

Taneh Beemene