Education
UNITAR Lauds RSG’s Achievements In Education
The United Nations
Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has commended Rivers State Government (RSG) for its numerous achievements in the education sector.
UNITAR’s programme manager in Nigeria, Dr Minimah Edmundson, stated this last week during a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi in her office in Port Harcourt.
Dr Edmundson said the rebuilding and upgrading of the infrastructure in schools and introduction of ICT are all steps in the right direction.
He noted that the elaborate training and upgrading of the teachers in the preparation and delivery of lessons in line with approved curricula at the different levels has been yielding positive results.
The UNITAR’s programme manager recommended the introduction of monitoring and evaluation for efficient education system (EES).
According to him, EES is a computer-based system that uses current information technology to provide modern solutions that would be needed to establish educational infrastructure that will empower teachers to work efficiently and effectively.
The mode of its operations include Biometric Clock-in devices which eliminates ghost teachers, falsification of signing attended on note books, signing attendance by Proxy, artificial truancy, and cover-ups by the administrative heads,” he said.
Edmundson noted that the system will create an online lesson prep for teachers, explaining that the lesson prep is a centralised school-wide application that provides teachers and administrators capacity to post and review lesson notes online.
“Teachers through this medium can view their personal devices”, he said.
He added that teachers are better prepared through lesson feedback that can be easily posted and viewed in advance of executing their lessons.
While responding, the Commissioner for Education, Dame Lawrence-Nemi, said the state government under the leadership of Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has invested so much in the education sector and infrastructural development in the state.
She hinted that the state is now working on sustaining the already built infrastructure in the state by presenting the ministry’s three year education sector plan, while also assuring that the state would partner with UNITAR in ensuring adequate monitoring and evaluation for efficient education system in the state.
The commissioner, however, stated that the teachers in the state are very committed and dedicated to their duties, noting that “our teachers now wait for pupils and students to come to class.
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.