Education
‘Plateau Needs 12,000 Teachers For 309 Secondary Schools’
The Plateau Teachers Service Commission (PTSC) last Wednesday said the state government needed 12,000 teachers for its 309 secondary schools to up the state’s educational standard.
The commission’s Chairman, Chief Venji Lar made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Lar said that shortage of teachers in the government-owned schools has negative effects on the educational standard of the state, which he said demanded immediate solution.
“When we first came in 2017 as officials of the commission, we met only 2, 890 teachers instead of 12, 000 teachers handling the teeming students in our 309 schools.
“But given the strong concern, affection and attachment to education by Governor Simon Lalong, he graciously approved the employment of additional 868 teachers, at our request, to bridge the gap.
“Again, in November 2018, the governor also approved the employment of 2,500 civil servants to address the state’s manpower shortfall in the civil service.
“Out of the figures (2,500), 840 will be teaching staff and 160 non-teaching staff to further bridge the gap of the shortfall of teachers in our schools and catch up with the private schools.
“Once the 840 teachers are recruited early this year, 2019, the state will have a total of 4, 598 teachers, leaving a shortfall of 7, 402 teachers, ’’ the commission’s chairman said.
He explained that the shortfall of teachers in the schools was largely due to the lean financial purse of the state.
Lar said, “From the way and manner Gov. Lalong is approaching the problem of lack of teachers in our schools, it’s just a matter of time for us to bridge the gap once and for all.’’
On teachers’ promotion, Lar disclosed that a total of 800 teachers were promoted last year out of 2,000 due for promotion.
“We conducted promotion examinations for the teachers in 2017, and 800 of them have received their promotion letters, while others are still pending due to some hitches that have to do with the Code of Conduct Bureau.
“But, as soon as they are able to clear that grey area, their letters will be released to them, because we view that as part of the motivational steps for better performance,’’ he said.
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.