Education
Rescheduled NCEE: Parents Blame Low Form Purchase On Insecurity, Moral Decadence
Ahead the rescheduled date, May 7, for the National Common Entrance Examinations (NCEE) by the National Examination Council (NECO), parents have called on the government and heads of schools to work out modalities to curb the spate of insecurity, moral decadence and criminalities prevalent in most secondary schools.
The parents said the growing rate of these vices, particularly in boarding schools have constituted a deterrent to the enrollment of their wards in the schools, hence, their reluctance in the purchase of the forms for the Unity Colleges.
Speaking with TheTide in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, a cross section of parents noted with dismay the ChrisLand School saga, expressing fears that boarding schools are no longer safe for the young students as they serve as breeding grounds for all kinds of immoral activities.
A medical doctor and father of two students in one of the Federal Government Colleges, Dr Gershon Bobmanuel said “two of my children are in one of the FGCs and intend enrolling the third one but as it were, I’m afraid of doing so.
“What is happening in our boarding schools are so threatening to the spiritual, social, biological and academic life of these children that feel it’s better to enroll them in not just day schools but schools that are close to you so you could keep your eyes on them and monitor their activities”.
On her part, an educationist, Dr Seline Onuoha, averred that education and morality work in peri perso for the wholesome development of the child, stating that all hands must be on deck for this to be achieved in present day young students.
“NECO is right when it said the NCEE was shifted due to low purchase of entrance forms because I have seen one or two parents who said they are scared of buying the form because of some of the activities in the boarding system.
“You know you are to choose six schools, one from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country. And maybe you want your ward to have the experience of another environment outside your state, it is becoming confusing and worrisome”.
A businessman, Daniel Saane, was of the view that boarding system be scrapped as it would help to checkmate the ill-activities of the students and in extension save their future.
Saane said, it is obvious that the time these children stay in their dorms or hostels, they engage in lots of immoral acts. The level of theft reported by them, especially the junior students is so alarming that you begin to wonder if these children are trained robbers.
“ I think this boarding thing should be scrapped. Maybe that could help to save the situation and future of the country”.
Recall that the NECO has rescheduled the 2022 National Common Entrance Examination conducted for admission into Federal Unity Colleges from Saturday, April 23 to Saturday, May 7.
The council said the shift was imperative to give states with low registration of candidates the opportunity to register their candidates.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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.