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Mission Schools: Promoting Qualitative Education

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Mrs Veronica Nwachuckwu is a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State.

Recently, she bought four long-playing videotapes on different historical subjects; so as to encourage her children to stay indoors during the approaching end-of-year holidays.

However, her gesture fails to entice one of her daughters, Chioma, a Primary 5 pupil in a mission school in Onitsha.

“Mum, I do not think I would have time for these videos,’’ she murmurs.

“Our class teacher has given us four novels to read. We are also asked to weave a basket, make some beads and carry out some quantitative reasoning exercises during our holidays.

“Our new headmaster said that henceforth, our holiday exercises, tests on them and class participatory work would form part of our continuous assessment marks for our promotion,’ Chioma says.

Mrs Nwachukwu was a bit startled by her daughter’s reaction because she has always been worried about the playfulness of her children, Chioma in particular.

But Chioma’s posture is just reflecting the emerging orientation in the schools which the Anambra State Government recently handed over to missionary groups, their erstwhile owners.

The handover was the thrust of the government’s new educational policy, aimed at resuscitating the quality of education that is characterized by sound moral training and commitment to learning.

As part of the deal, Gov. Peter Obi ceded the management of 749, out of the 1,040 primary schools in the state, to the missions, their original owners, while N6 billion was approved for the maintenance of all the primary schools.

The governor said that the N6 billion would be disbursed to the Catholic and Anglican mission schools, as well as the remaining government schools in four instalments within the next 15 months.

“The Catholic Church, which owns 453 primary schools, will receive over N762 million and the Anglican Church with 296 schools will receive N498 million, while the remaining public schools will share N489 million, in the first tranche of N1.75 billion.

“The second and third instalments will gulp N2.50 billion, while the fourth installment will cost the government N1.75 billion.

“The money is already available in the bank and it will be released to the missions within 30 days after submitting their work plans,’’ he said.

Obi, nonetheless, stressed that the work plans were expected to contain structured curricula, which, among other things, should be designed to restore social sanity among the pupils.

“Such vices like cultism, sexual immorality, kidnapping, armed robbery, hooliganism and other aberrations plaguing our society today, especially in Anambra, are some of the vices which the missions will have to wage war against in the schools.

“Let us all resolve today to be positive change agents, especially now that we have a government that is ready and willing to work with individuals who can complement government efforts to promote a better society,” he said.

Commenting on the government’s action, the Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, said that the handover of the schools to the missions was one of the most desirable government decisions ever taken in the state.

“Gov. Obi has written his name in gold; he has wiped off the tears of our people.

“The governor has rectified the anomalies of the civil war; he has rectified the fault of past leaders. With this action, the Church has forgiven the government for the forceful takeover of our schools,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, the Most Rev. Christian Efobi, the Archbishop of the Niger Province of the Anglican Communion, said that the governor’s action indicated that whenever ‘a righteous man ascend the throne, the people rejoice. “I am assuring the governor that we will continue to pray for him as he continues to make progressive decisions,’’ Efobi said.

The Federal Government is apparently in support of the Anambra State Government’s decision to return the schools to missions. The Minister of State for Education, Mr Ezenwo Wike, commended the action, describing it as capable of improving the quality of education, while reviving moral values in the schools.

“I urge other states to emulate Anambra. The handover of schools by the Anambra State Government is a step in the right direction and one that will boost the quality of education,” Wike said.

All the same, observers believe that the new partnership will certainly check moral decadence, particularly in primary schools, where pupils could be mobilised and educated to adopt positive and desirable ethics.

Prof. Emeka Okpara, the Vice-Chancellor of Renaissance University, Enugu, lauded the government’s decision to cede the management of some primary schools to the missions, saying that it would enhance the supervision of the schools’ teachers.

“With the increased supervision of the teachers, the excesses of these children would be checked and possibilities of their joining bad companies would be significantly curtailed,’’ he noted.

Okpara, nonetheless, rejected the idea that the management of all public schools should be ceded to the missions, insisting that such a proposal would be counterproductive, as it could make the cost of education unaffordable to some indigent families.

“Truly, the money the pupils pay as school fees may not be enough to engender the requisite transformation and the required level of quality in terms of moral education and school structures.

“But I hope that the Anambra State Government will not shirk its responsibility of providing qualitative education for primary school pupils since the missions would push the cost of renovating the dilapidated school structures diplomatically on the parents.

“Structurally, many public schools are in a state of disrepair. As regards instructional materials, most of the schools are 20 years backward,’’ Okpara, who is also a member National Institute for Policy and Strategic Study (NIPSS), said. However, Mr Nnamdi Nnayelugo, an 82-year-old retired headmaster, commended the government’s handover of the schools to the missions, saying that it would bolster the moral upbringing of the children.

He noted that the prevalent moral decadence in the country nowadays could be attributed to the lack of commitment by parents and communities to the youth’s upbringing.

“I recall my experience as a headmaster in the 70s; if a child erred and escaped punishment from me or my teachers, the child would not be able to totally escape being reprimanded, as the community or church that owned the school would soon report him or her to the school authorities.

“These days, children are more prone to join bad companies; and when you intervene, nobody is there to flog an errant child. Often times, the schools’ headmasters and teachers are not even around,’’ Nnayelugo said.

Expressing a similar viewpoint, Rev. Fr. Martin Onukwuba, the Coordinator of Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) in Onitsha, said that the government’s handover of the schools to the missions was a long-awaited decision.

Onukwuba said that the forceful takeover of the schools by the government was morally wrong in the first instance, stressing that it was the genesis of moral decadence in the state’s educational system.

He argued that the recent handover of the schools to their original owners would restore order and rectitude to the schools within a short time because the missions also had the powers to hire and fire teachers.

“What Gov. Obi has done is to get the churches and by extension, the community involved in the management of these schools. Through multiple checks on the teachers, the pupils’ lifestyles would be moderated.

“The Church, which holds high morality as its standard, could imbibe sound morals in these children and redeem them from experiencing the societal rot even at such a tender age.

“The Church, I know, cannot afford to fail since it entered into the agreement with the government on the schools, purely on the grounds of morality and not for profit-making purposes,’’ Onukwuba said.

Observers note a striking consensus of opinion among all stakeholders that the return of the primary schools to the missions has paved the way for a return to the glorious old days when education still had the glitters.

Nwanosi writes for NAN

 

Stanley Nwanosike

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Education

RILTA laud appointment of new Chairman 

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The Rivers state Indigenous language Teacher Association (RILTA) has landed the appointment of the new chairman,Hon Sam Ogeh   by the state government.
The group in a statement signed by
Dr. Ovuchi J. Agwnu
President and
HRH Eze Sir Ishmael Nweke
Secretar and made available to the tide desk in port Harcourt,the group described the appointment as a welcome development and urged the new chairman to bring his long years of wealth of experience in public service to bear in his new assignment.
The group further assured him of their resolved to work with the his team to enable them succeed and assured him of their total loyalty.
The statement reads thus “
On behalf of the Rivers State Indigenous Language Teachers Association (RILTA), we extend heartfelt congratulations to you on your appointment and assumption of office as the Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board. This prestigious appointment is a testament to your dedication, expertise, and leadership qualities.”
“Your vast experience and passion for education will undoubtedly drive transformative changes in our basic education sector. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of your leadership on the educational landscape of Rivers State.”
We pray for divine guidance, wisdom, and strength as you embark on this noble assignment. May your tenure be marked by excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of our children and educators.”
“Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved appointment. We stand ready to support you in your endeavour to elevate the standards of basic education in Rivers State.”
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

University lecturer advocates for societal needs based research as Algorithms,  Pathway To Sustainable Growths

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A lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Professor Daniel Matthias,has advocated
for a university-industry- government partnership in order to strengthen collaborations for internships, applied research, and product development, adding
 that research outcomes should align with societal needs, especially in healthcare, environment, education, and governance.
He further  recommended the strengthening of research in emerging technologies through the establishment of dedicated research centres in AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Renewable Energy. He also advocated linking computer science with health, agriculture, and engineering as interdisciplinary projects.
Professor  Matthias, stated this when he delivered the 118th Inaugural Lecture of the University  recently in port Harcourt with the  topic “From Algorithms to Impact: Harnessing Emerging Technologies For Socio Economic Transformation.”
He described Algorithm as a, “Finite, step by step set of institutions designed to solve a specific problem or perform a task”, said they are fundamental to both Computer Science and everyday life, where they serve as recipes, driving directions, or the instructions a computer used to sort data, make recommendations on social media or rank search engine results. They take input, process it through a sequence of logical steps, and produce and output.”
The university don emphasized that Africa has the most youthful population globally with entrepreneurial spirit and therefore stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of the technologies enabled by the algorithm to drive sustainable development.
“Africa, with its youthful population and entrepreneurial spirit, stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of these technologies. By addressing infrastructure deficits, fostering digital literacy, and creating supportive policies, the continent can leapfrog traditional development pathways and establish itself as a global innovator,” Prof Mathias stated.
The erudite scholar averred that though Africa has its challenges in infrastructure deficits such as access to technology, logistics and transportation, educational barriers in the areas of quality education and digital literacy, limited investment and informal economies, the continent has promise of potential growth with the development and use of Algorithms.
He attributed the potential promises to demographic advantage, ecosystems, noting that Africa has the potential to leapfrog traditional stages of technological development by adopting mobile and digital solutions directly. Furthermore, he said that focusing on renewable energy and sustainable practices can help Africa address energy shortages while promoting environmental stewardship.
“By bridging the gap between technical knowledge and societal needs, we can create technologies that not only solve problems, but also empower communities, foster inclusion, and drive sustainable development. Collaboration, advocacy, and mentorship are essential to ensuring that technology serves as a tool for equity, empowerment, and a better future for all,” the university Don stated.
In his  remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obibi congratulated the lecturer, describing the lecture as “fantastic” and the lecturer, as “our rare gift to Africa and the world in the field of Computer Science.”
He acknowledged that most of the recommendations of the lecturer were in consonance with what the university was doing in terms of developing a policy on the use of AI and making the university community to be digital compliant.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

NUC Commences  Verification Of 73 Degree Programmes Of Federal University Of Environment in Ogoni

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has commenced resource verification of 73 degree programmes across seven faculties at the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Ogoni, Rivers State.
The verification exercise began today and is a critical step towards securing approval for the institution’s academic programmes, with the NUC team assessing facilities, staff strength, and curriculum to ensure compliance with national standards.
Welcoming the NUC officials, the Vice Chancellor of FUET, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom expressed gratitude for the visit and emphasised the institution’s commitment to meeting the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commence academic activities in the September 2025 academic session.
“You are aware that this is a newly established university, created through the Act parliament and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 3rd February 2025. Just about 5 weeks ago, the Honourable Minister of Education inaugurated the Governing Council and principal officers, with a clear mandate to ensure academic activities commence this September,” Prof. Mmom said.
He commended the Rivers State Government for facilities at Saakpenwa and Koroma, as well as the people of the Koroma community who gifted the university 99.3 hectares of land.
 He noted that renovation and infrastructural work have been fast-tracked despite the absence of federal budgetary allocation for the institution’s takeoff.
Prof. Mmom disclosed that the university had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with nearby institutions, including the Rivers State University, Rivers State Polytechnic, and University of Port Harcourt, for temporary academic and infrastructural support.
 He also highlighted ongoing preparations, including the provision of dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, ICT centres equipped with over 170 computers, and staff quarters.
Speaking on behalf of the NUC team, Professor John Ohaka explained that the verification exercise is part of ensuring readiness for takeoff in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“All we are doing here today is to assess the level of preparedness and ensure that the university starts on a strong footing. What we need now is quality education to drive sustainable development, and this exercise will help position FUET to compete globally,” he said.
Ohaka praised the university management for its hospitality and assured that the team would thoroughly inspect the facilities across both campuses to make recommendations where necessary
The seven proposed faculties under verification include: Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Faculty of Management Technology. Others are Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and Faculty of Education.
The Federal University of Environment and Technology, located in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, is one of the newest federal universities established to expand access to tertiary education and promote research in environmental and technological studies.
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