Education

Proprietor Laments Dearth Of Maths Teachers In Nigeria

Published

10 years ago

July 25, 2016

The Proprietor of Precious
Stones Montessori School, Port Harcourt, Engr. Chibuzo Chibuokem, has identified dearth of competent teachers, especially in Mathematics and the Sciences in the country as one of the key challenges the school has to contend with.
Another major challenge, he explained, is multiple taxation by various groups claiming to represent one level of government or the other.
Engineer Chibuokem, who stated this onFriday, in an exclusive interview during the school’s Graduation/Award-giving Ceremony, said lack of enough teachers in Mathematics and Science subjects in the country was a major challenge.
“The major challenges we have is getting good, qualified and committed teachers. In fact, Mathematics and Science teachers are scarce.
“Many of them (teachers) can teach Arts subjects, but not Mathematics or the sciences,” he said.
In order to check the trend, he explained, “we have to groom the teachers in sciences and Mathematics. We bring people to teach our teachers in Maths and sciences.”
Explaining the challenge of multiple taxation, the proprietor said various people claiming to be officials of various parts of government demand and collect the same tax from the school.
“Ministry of Health, Environmental Sanitation, Local Government, all come for exactly the same thing. These challenges are capable of affecting the school’s quest to achieve its vision, which is to lay concrete foundation in the life of every child, spiritually, mentally, socially and psychologically, and set them on proper path for global distinction,” he said.
However, Engr. Chibuokem said, the school had been able to achieve some of its visions so far. According to him, graduands of the school have excelled in various academic and other pursuits.
“In the 2014/2015 academic year, our pupils came tops in the whole Rivers State in Mathematics competition. So, our child is the Rivers champion of Rivers Man Mathematics Competition,” he said.
Engr. Chibuokem also noted that a graduand from the school also came tops in the last Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) examination.
On her part, chairman of the Parents, Teachers Association (PTA) of the school, Mrs. Vera Benjamin confirmed the standard of the school in terms of bringing out good products.
According to her, it is in recognition of this that the PTA decided to give awards and prizes to pupils and teachers who have contributed to the success story of the school.
“We decided to encourage the teachers by giving them prizes/gifts, and also to some of our children who excelled in their academics, especially in Maths and English,” she said.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Education

UNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers state has approved a special two-year amnesty for students admitted between the 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 academic sessions who were unable to complete their programmes within the stipulated period.

This was contained in a statement by the university public relations officer,Dr Sammy Kpenu and made available to the tide over the weekend in port Harcourt.

The statement stated that eligible students are expected to submit formal applications addressed to the Vice Chancellor through their respective Heads of Department for review and necessary consideration.

The statement further stated that the approval provides a renewed opportunity for affected students to return, regularize their academic status, and successfully complete their studies.

According to the statement the amnesty also offers a fresh opportunity to students who had issues related to overstaying or other challenges that forced them to discontinue their programmes, to return and complete their academic pursuits.

The statement however said that the deadline for submission of applications end on 31st May, 2026 and therefore urge the affected students to take full advantage of the window the amnesty provided to realise their academic dreams.

Education

Education Commissioner Seeks media collaboration in Rivers

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro

Education

“FPOG Bonny Deepens Learning With Hands-On Expedition to NLNG Nature Park”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

Academic expeditions and excursions take learning beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and hands-on engagement with history, science, and nature. For the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, such outings are a strategic tool for bridging theory with practice.

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology led students on an academic excursion to the NLNG Nature Park in Bonny. The team was led by the Head of Unit, Elizabeth Jumbo, alongside Ikor Peter, Usman Thaha, and Elekwachi Progress. The trip was designed to connect classroom instruction with real-life experiences.

According to the department, the excursion sought to deepen learning by linking theoretical knowledge with tangible, real-world exposure. The exercise also aimed to enhance student engagement and retention while promoting social-emotional skills such as collaboration and empathy. It further catered to diverse learning styles among the students.

Academic excursions offer clear benefits. Abstract concepts become concrete when students encounter them firsthand. A history lesson comes alive in a museum, while scientific principles are better understood in natural settings. Such interactive experiences are often more memorable than text-based learning alone.

The outings also build critical soft skills. Trips foster self-confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience. They broaden cultural awareness and perspective by exposing students to new environments and ideas. For many, the experience sparks curiosity, promotes empathy, and can even influence future career paths.

At its core, the goal is to make learning personal, relevant, and interactive. The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny says it is committed to providing a compass to academic excellence through active learning, consistent organization, and holistic student well-being. The SLT excursion reflects that approach in action.