Education
Private Schools C’ttee, Not For Witch-Hunt -Chairman …Set To Visit 1,629 Schools
The Chairman of Rivers State Committee on Revalidation and Monitoring of privately owned Schools in Rivers State Prof Ozo Mercury Ndimele says the committee is not established to witch hunt anybody but to help improve on the existing standard in the running of the private schools in line with the state government educational policies.
Ndimele also disclosed that the committee was not planning to close down any private schools in the state as being speculated in many quarters, rather the committee,he said would work with the private school owners to ensure that qualitative education and conducive learning environment are attained.
He stated this while addressing proprietors and school managers of privately owned primary and secondary schools in the state at a stakeholders meeting at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He told them that the committee was a mere fact finding one that would make recommendations to the state government during the one month assignment.
“We shall do our work with human face. All you need to do is to cooperate with the committee to ensure the success of our assignment
“Our assignment is a serious one. We want to find out where our children are being trained and see if they conform with the standard,” he added.
Prof Ndimele who is the Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education as well as the coordinating chairman of the committee for Rivers East senatorial district announced that the committee would begin visitation to 1,629 schools that are registered with the office of the Secretary to State Government from this week and warned them against any form of inducements.
“Let me warn, let nobody try to bribe or induce any member of the committee because the state government has adequately funded us. If you do your school will be blacklisted,” he added.
Also speaking, Prof Okey Onuchukwu, who serves as the coordinating chairman for Rivers South East averred that the committee would visit the schools to ascertain whether the minimum standards were being complied with, adding that the committee was an independent body not attached to Schools Board or UBE.
In his own speech, the coordinating chairman for Rivers West, Prof Philip Odari commended the private school owners in the state for their various contributions to the development of the state, adding that the mission of the committee would be on how to improve what they already have and not to destroy them.
Some of the private school owners, Elder Gospel Awara-jaja, Elder Abbey Caleb Osaroigwe and Dr Dennis Woruka who spoke at the event appealed to the state government to revalidate their registration rather than cancellation, noting that some of the private schools have existed for over 30years.
They also appealed to the committee to consider the new schools as well as to categorize the schools in their assignment.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Councils of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa.
At the ceremony on Thursday in Calabar, the Governor urged the members to drive institutional excellence, ensure accountability, and align with global best practices.
Governor Otu acknowledged that UNICROSS had long suffered from what many perceived as gross neglect, particularly in terms of physical development.
“After a deep thought and consultation, and having considered all available facts and evidence, I am today opening a new chapter in the relationship between government and its institutions of higher education,” the Governor declared.
He emphasised that while his administration is committed to a renewed focus on higher education, this attention must be matched with transparency and responsibility by the universities’ management.
The same expectation, he said, applies to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa.
Governor Otu stated that the appointments into both councils and management were carefully considered and reflect the state’s finest minds and seasoned professionals.
“I have taken pains in appointing some of the best that the State has in both the Governing Councils and Management of the institutions. I implore you to apply your wealth of experience in making the institutions world-class,” he charged.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the distinct roles of Councils and management, pointing out that most university problems emanate from role conflict or interference. He tasked each of the councils to stick strictly to its clearly defined functions.
The Governor encouraged council members to leverage their networks to attract new sources of funding and value to their institutions.
“Do not limit yourselves to already known threads of resource sources.”, he said.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees for all Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, describing it as a major step toward removing barriers to higher education.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University Chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union, the Governor said the policy has made it easier for students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university education in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the students for presenting him with the Sword of Honour Award and for recognising the achievements of his administration, which were highlighted during the event’s public lecture.
He promised, “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course.’’
The Governor advised students not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilize their communities and steer them away from their career goals.
Governor Sani reminded the students and lecturers at the event that ‘’no meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust.’’
However, he said that ‘’going by your conduct over the period that I have been at the helm of affairs of our state so far, you are reliable partners of progress and I can count on you every step of the way.’’
The governor recalled that Kaduna State was under siege owing to the insecurity in some of the local government areas, which had dire consequences on agricultural and business activities.
He noted that the security challenges have now been drastically reduced owing to the combined commitment of security agencies, resulting in safer high ways, people returning to farms and the opening of local markets.
120 Oldest Secondary Schools in Nigeria
The governor further said that the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years, has been reopened, so have the other markets in security challenged areas in Giwa local government.
The management of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic,Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has admitted 1,882 fresh students to study various courses and programmes for the 2024)2024 academic session.
This announcement was made by the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Moses Neebee during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the institution held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Dr Neebee described convocation as an annual rituals of every institution used to mark the end of admission process, adding that the polytechnic has recorded some academic milestones and achievements.
According to him, the institution recorded 100 percent in the just concluded NABTE accreditation and resources visitation exercise, adding that all the 24 courses presented by the institution during the accreditation were approved including the almighty Diploma in Law.
According to the admission statistics provided by the Rector,1,510 students were admitted for the National Diploma programmes ,while 372 students were offered admission into the Higher National Diploma and part programmes of the polytechnic.
The Rector while congratulating the matriculants urged them to take their studies seriously and ensure that they pass through the institution and as well allow the institution pass through them and not only in learning but also in character.
“ Let me congratulate you all for your successes to scale through the rigorous hurdles of our admission processes. Take advantage of the various technical and entrepreneur skills in the school to equip your self which will make yourselves employed and be better equipped in the society”, he said.
The Rector warned them to desist from any activities that will jeopardise their academic success, stressing that the school has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and sexual abuse.
He used the opportunity to thank the state government for the support given to the school especially in the areas of infrastructure development.