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