Education
Poor Attendance Greets Resumption Of Schools
One week after resump
tion of academic activities in the public and some private schools in Rivers State, some schools have continued to record low turn-out of students and pupils.
Our reporter who monitored some of the schools in Omuma, Etche, Ikwerre, Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas, said the poor turn-out was more serious in the rural areas.
At Oromenike Girls College, Port Harcourt, a female teacher told our reporter that, “the 2013/2014 session has just begun, normal registration exercise is going on and I hope that from next week, more academic activities will begin”.
The female tutor, who pleaded anonymity explained that it was always the case with any new session, but expressed the readiness of the teachers adding that the students have to realise that time waits for no one.
At Essence Comprehensive College Umueke in Omuma local government area, a private school, also recorded poor turn out but a student told our reporter that the situation was improving. “On the first day, we were not many and most of us had the impression that lectures would not begin but surprisingly, teachers were in the classes ready to teach”.
At Government Secondary School Okehi, in Etche local government area, the turnout was not poor but some students who responded to our reporters’ questions said they lack teachers.
“We hope that the government would send more teachers so that one teacher would not be taking more than three subjects”.
But at the Community Primary School Mba, also in Etche local government area, the turn-out of pupils was low and the teachers who reported to duty on Wednesday said the teachers were ready but the pupils were not coming in encouraging numbers.
One of the pupils who identified her name as Miss Grace Nwoko said, “we have resumed school but most pupils have not come ”.
At Ojims College, Port Harcourt, normal activities have picked up and a teacher explained that, “ours is a private school and as a teacher, it is mandatory that you always come to school to avoid attracting the wrath of the proprietor.
The teacher, who also pleaded anonymity called on the parents to encourage their children and wards to attend classes.
Chris Oluoh
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.