Rivers Plans 30-Classroom Model Primary Schools

New model primary schools made up of 30 classrooms each have been approved by the Rivers State Government for construction in some parts of the state, Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi has said.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after she conducted an inspection of State School, Sangana in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt last Friday, Dame Nemi said the old model 14 classroom blocks cannot accommodate the swelling number of pupils in public schools.

She noted that the decision to commence the building of the 30 classroom model primary schools was reached few months ago to accommodate swelling population of public schools, as one had been located in the old UPTH and State School, Sangana.

“A decision was reached few months ago that the population of some parts of Rivers State, not only in Port Harcourt , that the 14 classroom block is just too small to accommodate, that was why it was re-designed to 30 classroom blocks”, she remarked.

The new school construction is expected to commence in July in State School, Sangana, according to Dame Nemi as she directed head teachers of the school and that of St Thomas State School to ensure that the pupils sit for their exams before the project.

She equally pointed out that before the re-opening of schools in September this year, the one-storey building of 30 classrooms would be ready for use by the pupils.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area have petitioned the federal authorities including the Ministry of Defence over the recent bunker boat fire that destroyed some parts of the shore protection and jetties in Opobo town last month.

Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council, Hon Maclean Uranta said the petition was geared towards addressing a security error allegedly committed by Naval officials who set ablaze a bunker boat while on patrol.

Hon Uranta explained that if not for the tide and quick intervention of youths in the areas, the ancient town of Opobo and environs would have been gutted by fire due to poor security judgement response.

The petition, The Tide learnt would highlight the extent of damage incurred on the day of the incident, the environmental implications and the need for better security surveillance to avert such incidents in the future.