Education

SSS 3 Students Groan Over Difficulties in WAEC Capturing in Rivers

Published

4 months ago

March 2, 2026

Thousands of Senior Secondary School (SS3) students in Rivers State have expressed frustration over challenges they face in the ongoing WAEC capturing exercise, a prerequisite for the 2025/2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Introduced by the Federal Government to curb examination malpractice, the biometric capturing process has instead become a source of hardship for many candidates.

The Tide_ education desk who monitored the exercise across several schools in the state revealed chaotic scenes experienced by intending candidates.At Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, students crowded the school premises as early as 7 a.m. and remained as late as 9 p.m., with many still unattended. Parents and guardians were seen waiting anxiously as their wards struggled to be captured.

Chidubem, a student of the school, lamented the loss of valuable study time. “Since Monday, we have been coming from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. without success. The process is slow, and we pay between ?5,000 and ?7,000. We’ve been here for over five days without being captured,” she said.

The situation is similar at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, where students cluster around the capturing centre, jostling for space. Angela, a candidate, described the exercise as “herculean,” citing network failures and alleged favouritism. She added that parents sometimes pay up to ?1,000 to secure quicker attention for their children.

At Government Secondary School, Okehi in Etche Local Government Area, students reportedly arrive as early as 6 a.m. to secure a place in line. One student, who asked to remain anonymous, called on relevant authorities to urgently address the irregularities. Another student, Ebenezer, warned that unless swift action is taken, many candidates may be excluded from sitting the examination.

Education stakeholders have raised concerns that the exercise, though well-intentioned, has been poorly executed, with inadequate equipment and personnel deployed to handle the large number of candidates. They warn that unless urgent steps are taken to streamline the process, the credibility of the examination could be undermined, and students’ academic futures jeopardised.

Parents and guardians are appealing to the Rivers State Ministry of Education and WAEC to intervene immediately, deploy additional registration centres, and ensure transparency in the process. They stress that without swift corrective measures, the already heightened anxiety among students and families will only worsen.

As of press time, neither the Rivers State Ministry of Education nor WAEC authorities had responded to inquiries on the matter.

By Akujobi Amadi

Education

Abia State University Screens First Class Graduates From The 30-32nd Convocation For Employment

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

In line with the directive of the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, for the automatic employment of all First-Class graduates from the 30th–32nd Convocation Ceremony of the University, the Management on Wednesday, 24th June 2026, screened the eligible graduates who have completed their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the onward processing of their employment letters.

Speaking during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe J. Okeudo, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor (Mrs.) Roseline Ndimele, expressed delight at the outstanding academic achievements of the graduates. She noted that the University Management is proud of their accomplishments and remains committed to supporting excellence and rewarding hard work.

Professor Ndimele further added that graduates who have successfully completed their NYSC programme are eligible to submit their application documents, while those currently serving or yet to commence the programme should return upon completion of their service.

In his remarks, the Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu, stated that the meeting was convened in adherence to the directive of the Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR. He urged all prospective candidates to adhere strictly to the guidelines provided in order to avoid errors or misinformation during the screening process.

Recall that during the 30th–32nd Convocation Ceremony of Abia State University held on 27th March 2026 at the retrofitted University Pavilion, the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, announced that all First-Class graduates from the three convocation sets would be retained as Graduate Assistants after completing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Education

Rivers State Begins 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination Wednesday

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has announced that the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will officially commence on Wednesday, 2026, across all public and private schools in the state.

In a statement issued by the Director of Examinations and Records, Pastor Gideon Nwachukwu Uboh, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, says school authorities across all Local Government Areas have been advised to ensure that their students are adequately prepared for the examination.

The statement further directed that schools in all Local Government Areas, except Obio/Akpor, should collect and return examination materials through their respective Zonal Education Offices.

It further directed Schools within the Obio/Akpor Zone to collect and return examination materials at the following custodial centres:

Obio/Akpor Zone I: Community Secondary School, Okoro-Nu-Odo

Obio/Akpor Zone II: State Primary School I, Rumuapara, Obio/Akpor Zone III: Community Secondary School, Ozuoba.

The Ministry also disclosed that the Rivers State Government has paid the examination fees for all candidates in public schools. It warned that any principal or teacher found extorting money from students in public schools under any guise will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

Akujobi Amadi

Education

FPOG Bonny Announces Resumption Date For Second Semester Academic Session

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Management of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, (FPOG) has announced the resumption of second semester from Monday 29th of June 2026.

A statement signed by Mr Anthony Ogbe, Senior Assistant Registrar/public Relations officer and made available to the tide advise.

Students to resume as announced and update their course registrations.

The statement further call them to take note of all academic deadlines for the semester , adding that timely resumption is essential to achieving the stated academic objectives.

According to the statement ,” the Polytechnic remains committed to academic excellence, innovation, and bridging the gap between theory and practice. Management has provided the necessary resources and environment to support staff and students in delivering impactful solutions.”

“Management looks forward to receiving all returning students and wishes everyone safe travels back to campus.”the statement added.

Akujobi Amadi