Category: Education

ASUU urges FG to prioritise varsity education to curb brain drain

Education

By Douglas Okoro

Ndufu-Alike (Ebonyi), June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise university education to boost research and academic excellence in the nation’s ivory towers.

The Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI), branch of ASUU made the appeal in an address delivered during a press conference on the campus on Wednesday at Ikwo local government area in Ebonyi.

The union had earlier embarked on a peaceful march that commenced on the university campus and terminated at entrance gate of the institution to draw awareness of its demand for a better welfare and funding of university education in Nigeria.

The address signed by Dr Louis Omenyi and Dr Joseph Chukwu, the branch chairman and secretary respectively lamented the poor state of infrastructure, welfare of lecturers and other anomalies in the system.

According to the unionists, the perceived rot in the public owned universities need urgent action so as to stem brain drain and incessant strike actions that had bedeviled the university education.

The union rejected what it termed, ‘illegalities , underfunding, disrespect and flagrant violation of university autonomy and academic freedom by governments at all levels.

It also decried the federal government’s failure to honour the agreement it reached with the national body.

“All these anomalies have occasioned the massive exodus of some of our best brains through the phenomenon that has become popularly known as ‘Japa’ syndrome.

“The few of us left behind will not let our generation down because the struggles of our irrepressible union are our historic responsibility to secure the heart and soul of the university system where intellectualism, research, innovation and development are nurtured and delivered.

“The baton is in our hands today and we cannot let down our heroes past by allowing people who benefitted from free and subsidised education to destroy our national heritage and educational system,” ASUU said.

ASUU which reaffirmed its commitment to industrial peace and harmony noted that it remained and committed to placing quality education of all Nigerians in its rightful place.

“We are here to reaffirm that we are committed to ensuring qualitative and affordable higher education for all Nigerians and nothing will make us renege from this sacred responsibility,” it added.

The union frowned at the government’s insensitivity to the plight of the university lecturers and lack of commitment to implementing agreements entered with the union and the infrastructural decays.

It therefore called on relevant authorities to do the needful to avert another looming crisis that could lead to further devaluation of standards in the university education.

“We are also making a clarion call to all Nigerians to join hands with ASUU to salvage the Nigerian university system from total collapse.

“We are also using this medium to warm that the ritual of ASUU’s preparation for another round of strike has just begun.

“Arising from the texts of press conferences after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union held recently at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the cloud is gathering for a show down if the needful is not done very quickly.

“You will recall that ASUU has reached an agreement with the the government in 2009, which is supposed to be reviewed three years later; for 15 years now, that agreement has not been wholly implemented let alone reviewed.

” As a consequence, lecturers in public universities have remained stuck with the same poor condition of service,” the union said.

ASUU called on government to urgently set up a committee to review the agreement reached by its leadership and Prof. Nimi Brigs-led Government committee to further look at the document, adjust it according to the current economic realities.

The union condemned government’s sustained use of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform saying that the system usurped the powers of the university councils.

The group rejected continued withholding of three and half months salaries of members, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and promotion arrears among other alleged injustices. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODO/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. partner to train out-of-school children

Training
By Habibu Harisu
Sokoto, June 25, 2024 (NAN) UNICEF,  in collaboration with Sokoto State Government, has commenced skill acquisition training for vulnerable Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was initiated to promote the overall wellbeing of out-of-school children and adolescent girl drop-outs in the state.

It was being supported by ELEVA Foundation.

In a field visit to Sokoto on Tuesday, the UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Mr Ibrahim Sessay, said that the programme was being conducted in two established Community-Based Child Protection Multipurpose Centres in Kware and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Sessay said that at present no fewer than 4,700 Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls were registered for training to prepare them on livelihood skills for their  wellbeing.

He said that the training would cover tailoring, soap making as well as antiseptic and shampoo production.

According to him, 3,000 of the trainees were Almajiri children, 1,700 were out-of-school adolescent girls in eight LGAs.

Sessay further said that at least 2,000 out-of-school children were also identified and referred back to schools in the covered LGAs.

He said that the two multi-purpose centres would provide recreational facilities for children, safe space for counselling services, mental health support and psycho-social services, besides occupational training.

He, therefore, appealed to the State Government to increase budgetary allocation to sectors impacting children’s education, health, sanitation and protection to ensure the expansion and sustainability of the interventions.

Sessay underscored the importance of scaling up the initiative in other locations in the state to ensure that a larger number of vulnerable Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls had access to education.

Earlier, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Sokoto, Mr Michael Juma, said the initiative would reduce the vulnerability of children in the state.

Juma said that the state Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, supported by UNICEF, had identified and registered vulnerable children in the state.

He also said that in a comprehensive survey by the office, 449,523 children were verified and registered, comprising 113,208 Almajiris and 136,315 out-of-school children and adolescent girls.

He said that the initiative was targeted at other vulnerable groups, such as survivors of Gender-Based Violence, Victims of Violence against Children and others.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, thanked UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for the gesture.

Alkali said that Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s administration was poised to reduce the number.of the out-of-school children through deliberate policies targeted toward massive enrollment of children in school.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the District Head of Kware, Alhaji Muhammad Dan’Iya, thanked UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for building and equipping the multi-purpose centres.

Dan’Iya gave assurance that the community would provide more support to the project for maximum success. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng)

HMH/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

From left: Victoria Peregrino. Chairman TESCOM, and Iyabo Seriki-Bello, Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, at induction of new teachers in Ikeja on Tuesday

Induction

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Teachers Service Commission (TESCOM) on Tuesday began  a four-day induction programme for  1, 000 newly-recruited teachers in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had the theme: “Empowering Educators for Outstanding Learners Performances”.

The induction taking place at the LCCI House Alausa. Ikeja, was facilitated by the Nurture House Consulting.

Newly-recruited teachers at an induction ceremony on Tuesday in Lagos

The Chairman of TECOM, Mrs Victoria Peregrino, said at the opening of the induction that it was the fifth of its kind.

She said that the aim was to take the teachers through the nitty-gritty of their profession.

Peregrino said that it was not enough to have academic knowledge.

She said that  there was need  to  know how to impart  knowledge.

She hoped that the programme would contribute meaningfully to education development in Lagos State.

Commending Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for uplifting education standards in the state, the chairman said that Sanwo-Olu’s  administration had provided a conducive environment for teachers to work well.

“This training is to make you resourceful and contribute meaningfully to the progress of education in Lagos State. We expect you to put to practice, the academic knowledge you have acquired,” she said.

The chairman said that there was the need for teachers to take into consideration students’ mental and academic abilities, emotional state, total wellbeing and environments.

“They have acquired the academic qualifications needed to teach, but they need to know how to interact with students, fellow teachers, the principal, the community, other stakeholders in the education system and the society at large.

“We want our students to excel in every aspect of education and be able to compete with their peers globally,” she added.

Mrs  Iyabo Seriki-Bello, Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, said that the commission  needed teachers by choice, not by force.

She called on the new teachers to understand their roles well.

Seriki-Bello described teachers as mind builders,  saying that they must be passionate about their profession.

“You must have the ability to adapt to the changing world and be technology savvy.

“With technology, you can think locally and act globally.

“You must be able to communicate effectively,” she added.

Earlier, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, TESCOM Commissioner Two, in Ikeja, advised the inductees to make maximum use of their employment opportunities to contribute to the development of the state.

An official of Nurture House Consulting, Mr Akin Alanamu, said that Sanwo-Olu’s administration prioritised teachers’ training. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng

MIL/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Teachers
Bye David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Oyo State Government on Tuesday opened a portal for recruitment of 7,000 primary school teachers and 100 caregivers for special schools across the state.

Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, announced the opening of the portal at a news conference in Ibadan.

According to Adeniran, the job portal for the recruitment is: subeb.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng.

He said that the portal would be active from 6 p.m. on Tuesday (June 25) to July 9.

He urged all intending applicants to be wary of scammers who might open other portals aside the official one released by SUBEB.

“subeb.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng is the SUBEB job portal where we expect intending applicants for the 7,000 teaching positions as well as 100 caregivers to put in their online applications.

“The job portal, will register each candidate with his/her email, phone number and National Identification Number (NIN), among other requirements.

“At the end of the three weeks, the portal will be shut and we will go back to the drawing board to do our analysis to shortlist candidates and see those that actually complied with the requirements.

“Thereafter, the shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a Computer Based Test (CBT) examination.

“After the CBT examination, the number of those that passed will determine those that will proceed to the next stage, which is oral interview,” he stated.

The SUBEB chairman urged all intending applicants to channel the complaints or challenges encountered in the process of the online application through the phone number and email addresses provided on the website for free support services.

He advised every intending applicant to upload necessary documents, while assuring the general public that the exercise would be transparent and based on merit.

According to him, the application process from begining to the end is free of charge, adding
no person is assigned to collect money from any applicant.

Adeniran said that the decision to embark on the recruitment to reduce unemployment rate in the state.

“In addition, the administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde wants to expand the job space in the basic education sub-sector and those who are interested in working as caregivers, knowing fully well that education is a major pillar of the administration,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DAK/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Donation

By George Edomwonyi

Agbede (Edo), June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Ansar-Ud-Deen Momodu College Old Students’ Association (AMCOSA), Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo, has handed over three laboratories to the school.

At Tuesday’s handing-over, the association’s president, Mr Kabiru Musa, said the laboratories, for Chemistry, Physic and Biology practicals, were all equipped with modern facilities.

Musa added that N10 million was spent on building and equipping the laboratories, including the school’s perimeter fencing.

“The association re-established the laboratories to meet the immediate and mandatory needs of the school against the exaggerated expectations of people.

“We are one big family, united by the enormous love of our alma mater and the urgent need to rewrite the once glorious history.

“The ultimate goal of salvaging the ailing fortunes of the school is the need that ought to justify the means,” Musa said.

While commending all the members for their financial and spiritual support, Musa called for more.

He disclosed that the school urgently needed water and toilets, including renovating two classroom blocks.

He, however, frowned at the inability of the school’s authority to protect some of the association’s projects in the school.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Etsako West LGA, Marvelous Zibiri, said setting up such significant projects revealed the old students valued their roots.

“Your positive impact in making teaching and learning meaningful and purposeful will make the present students in the school work hard.

“It will be an inspiration to the students to learn to be greater achievers because you can only give what you have,” Zibiri said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

GE/MAS

Edited by Moses Solanke

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Education
By Ibukun Emiola
Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Malala Fund Advocacy Manager Femi Aderibigbe has called on government at all levels to do more to improve the quality of education that would reduce the number of out-of-school children.

He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja in a training on “Change Reporting Media Fellowship on Gender Responsive Education Planning” organised to develop journalists’ skills.

He also emphasised the importance of funding education as critical to human capital development.

According to him, the training is co-organised by the fund two civil society organisations to build the capacity of 27 journalists across the country with the resources needed to hold the government accountable in the education sector.

He said that programme would develop the skills of journalists to focus on measurable impact and issue-based reports along with the ethics of journalism to create credible stories in the sector.

“We need to speak against issues that prevent girls from accessing education up to senior secondary school.

“You can do a random sampling to ask how many children are out of education at the senior secondary level. I am not sure most of us can speak to data on the issues that we have.

Most times, we speak about basic education forgetting that a higher number of out-of-school children exist at the senior secondary school level,” Aderibigbe said.

Aderibigbe noted that the country provided free education, that is, Universal Basic Education for nine years and what that meant was that it invested in its children up to the stage where they were to make career decisions and then withdrew funding.

He said many people made their career decisions much later in life and not at the end of their junior secondary school level where free education stopped.

Aderibigbe called for a review of the government policy on UBE stressing the need to improve funding as it is connected to human capital development and economic prosperity of the nation.

Also, the founder of one of the partnering civil society organisations System Strategy and Policy Laboratory, Dr Murtala Mohammed, urged the fellows to base their reporting on evidence-based verifiable data and adhere to best practices in journalism.

He stressed the importance of good and qualitative education, adding that the state governments had to prioritise education in line with sustainable development goal four.

Mohammed, however, called on all the states to develop state education sector plans that will be gender-responsive to address some of the issues bedevilling the sector.

The two-day training will be held in Abuja from June 24 to June 25.

Malala Fund is an international, non-profit organisation that advocates for girls’ education.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IBK/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan