Education
Proprietress Introduces Online Tutorial For Pupils In Lagos
The Proprietress, Simic Group of Schools, Dr Cecilia Okachi, says the management has introduced an online distance learning tutorial method for students preparing for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in Junior and Senior Secondary classes.
The proprietress, told our source in Lagos at the weekend that the programme was to keep the students busy at this period of stay-at-home order by the government as part of measures to curtail the Coronavirus pandemic spread.
The school is located around a Lagos suburb, Abaranje, in Ikotun.
She said: “The initiative became necessary as the lockdown persists. We decided to introduce the online distance learning as part of our school’s response to the Covid-19 awareness on keeping the social distancing mechanism.
“Also during this lockdown period, I want the relationship between me and my students to remain very cordial and grounded. Right now, learning is ongoing as we are observing the lockdown and also the Easter celebration.
“We contact our students preparing for WAEC and engage them with their various subjects teachers like Mathematics, English Language, Economics, Civic Education, Physics and Chemistry, among others everyday.”
“The social media learning platform is created via whatsapp group and accommodates the various classes in the learning method.
“We don’t want our pupils to get engage in games and other vices because when you leave the children for too long, they forget what they have been taught in school.
“We have, therefore, resolved to follow up on our pupils and give comments with recommendation between the teachers and pupils with strict compliance.
“We also maintain a cordial relationship with their parents to know how their wards are faring through phone calls, text messages and other possible means of communication.”
The school proprietress said that the method had been helpful, attributing it to her love for children, adding: “I feel that no child should be on the road or be out of school on flimsy excuses”.
On the lockdown, she said that “we are all affected economically, but there is nothing we can do than to abide by the government’s directive because it is for the good of all of us.
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.