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Category: Education

  • Enugu Smart Schools, first of its kind in Africa – IHRC

    School

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Director- General, International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Dr Tivlumun Ahure, has expressed satisfaction with the Smart Green Schools, introduced by Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

    Ahure, who is the IHRC, International Relief Fund in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, made the remark when he led 43 diplomats to visit pilot Smart Green School in Owo, Enugu East Council Area on Friday.

    Addressing newsmen, the director-general who recalled that over time, he had read about the school, said the visit was more of practical for the team coming to see things themselves and looked at the facilities available.

    He said: “Going round the school, I saw a marvelous concept, true educational revolution, first of its kind in Africa.

    “It is my job to see that this type of school is replicated in other places in Africa. I will take the trumpet from Enugu and blow it around Nigeria and other African countries.

    “Everyone should be proud of what is happening in education sector in Enugu,” he said.

    Ahure, also the President of the ongoing NgEducators International Model United Nations (NGIMUN), Conference, in Enugu, disclosed that the concept of out of school children, drop outs and children not having quality education were infringement on the rights of children.

    According to him, they need to do something about it beyond just advocacy but engaging those in leadership to understand that there is a man doing a model school with increased budget for education.

    Speaking, Dr Ebenezer Leo, Head of Education at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Governors Forum, while extolling Mbah for the excellent job, said he would let other governors know about it and replicate in their various states.

    “I will tell other governors that this is what we want in Nigeria, an access to quality education.

    “This year we made analysis of the 35 governors in respect to their budget for education and it has been impressive as the advocacy is that every state should have 10 to 15 per cent of their budget to education and Enugu has surpassed it with 33 per cent.

    “With the conference we are having in October, Enugu State will be showcasing the smart schools, so that other states will key into it and replicate it in their states,” Leo said.

    Responding, the Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, explained that the 43 diplomats from around the world came to Enugu Smart School in Owo to see things for themselves.

    He said they could not believe that something like that was happening in Africa and promised they would take the gesture to their countries and insist that their leaders should give their people something similar.

    “They are saying they are going to produce a document, a United Nations Platform of Action that will carry their signatures as well as sponsoring them in every African countries and global until, it becomes a UN declaration.

    “What they are telling us after they saw pilot Smart Green School is that Mbah has developed a model, built and equipped it with teachers delivering experiential learning in a way they taught it was not possible.

    “This is the type of education that Africa needs and also an African solution to their challenge, a homegrown innovation and development,” he stressed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/OIF/MNA
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • Foundation rewards 45 students in Anambra quiz competition

    Competition
    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
    Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Dr Chinedu Umeadi Foundation (DCUF) on Friday rewarded 45 students with cash gifts for their outstanding performances at the just concluded Science Quiz Competition in Anambra State.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 217 public secondary schools participated in the fifth edition of the DCUF Science Quiz Competition.
    Speaking at the awards ceremony in Awka on Friday, Mr Ikem Onwuadi, the President, DCUF, said the competition and award was to encourage students to take their education seriously.
    “The founder of the foundation has been lamenting over the nation’s deteriorating educational system.
    “And for him, changing the ideology of younger generation and catching them young, is the sure way of making Nigeria better.
    “This was why he started this foundation five years ago and over N15 million has been committed to contribute our quota to development of education sector, youth empowerment healthcare, leadership training and other programmes.
    “I’m appealing to well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate this gesture as government alone cannot do it,” he said.
    Onwuadi congratulated the best performing students and urged them to work harder to sustain the achieved success.
    Also speaking Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairperson, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, thanked the foundation for its creative method of using advanced programme software and computer based test for the competitions.
    “These strategies will go a long way to elevate students’ Intelligent Quotient in Information and Communication Technology and it is in line with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s education agenda for the state,” she said.
    Okwukwe Ezeobiora of Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, emerged the  best student in the senior school category, while Ebere Okparakunne of Queen of Rosary College, Onitsha, emerged the overall best student in the junior school category.
    They received N300,000 cash award each for their outstanding performances.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
    LCO/JNC
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    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • BECE: Anambra govt commits to zero exam malpractice

    Examination

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
    Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Anambra State Government has expressed commitment to zero malpractice in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the state.
    The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, said this on Friday, while monitoring some of the examination centres in the state.
    Chuma-Udeh said the ultimate goal of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration was to produce a school environment devoid of malpractices, and to raise children that are skillful and technologically empowered to face the world.
    “Anambra State education system has been recording zero malpractice in examinations such as the West African Examinations Council, the National Examinations Council and other exams.
    “We were able to achieve the feat because we have stamped out corruption from the education sector in the state,” she said.
    Chuma-Udeh said the BECE Monitoring team from the Federal Ministry of Education also visited the state to monitor the conduct of the examination.
    “They are here to ensure conformity in all educational space in the nation and to ensure all due processes are observed in the exercise.
    “The visit was also to ensure there are no irregularities in the conduct of the exams.
    “Anambra State is above board when it comes to examination. I’m assuring them of zero examination malpractice,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LCO/FON/JNC
    ==============
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Jigawa varsity inaugurates committee on establishment of Faculty of Medicine

    Committee
    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
    Dutse, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim-Yakasai, Vice-Chancellor, Sule Lamido University (SLU), Kafinhausa, Jigawa, has inaugurated a committee on the establishment of the institution’s Faculty of Medicine.
    This is contained is an statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Sadiq Lawan, on Friday in Dutse.
    Ibrahim-Yakasai said that the inauguration of the committee was in line with the state government’s commitment to bringing good programmes closer to the indigenes of the state and expanding the institution for academic excellence.
    He stated that in order to ensure the smooth take-off of the programmes, the construction of the faculty building had already been awarded by the state government.
    The vice-chancellor also said that the departments to host basic medical science programmes had been constructed and awaiting necessary furnishing.
    Responding, Chairman of the committee, Prof. Dauda Maigatari, commended the state government for its foresight and the university for considering him and other members worthy of the appointment.
    Maigatari, who is also the Director, University Health Services Directorate, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, promised that the committee would do its best to ensure the establishment of the faculty.
    According to the statement, the committee was charged with the responsibility of coming up with a draft blueprint for the establishment of the proposed faculty, in line with National Universities Commission and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s guidelines.
    It was also mandated to offer professional advice and guidance on the establishment of the faculty.
    Members of the committee included: Prof. H.M. Mukhtar, Prof. Idris Sulaiman and Prof. Rabi’u Abdulsalam, all from ABU and Prof. Idris Turaki, Dr Dayyabu Ibrahim and Prof Zubaida Faruq, from Bayero University Kano.
    Others were: Dr Abdullahi Haruna Birniwa, Dr Aminu Abdullahi and Isma’ila Ibrahim, both from the university. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    MNB/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Why students play truancy – Educationist 

     

     

    Trauncy

    By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

    Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) A retired Director in Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Amuche Ndukwe, has blamed  truancy among students on parents, teachers and school authorities.

    Ndukwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that there was need for the stakeholders to be more committed to their roles over students.

    According to her, truancy  –  staying away from school without permission –  shows a fault.

    “We have always emphasised  good parenting because charity begins at home.

    “Parents must train their children from early age to desire to be in school, and that education is key. It is a mindset that they should grow with, and it will guide their academic progression,

    “Parents must know their children’s friends, supervise their works and encourage them for every positive achievements.

     

    “Having met the child’s needs, the father or mother should occasionally pay a surprise visit to the school and find out the punctuality  through the class teacher,” she added.

     

    On the part of school managements and teachers, Ndukwe said that efforts should be made to ensure that students would learn in conducive environments under the supervision of friendly teachers.

     

    The director said, “Teachers should be friendly with their students, change their methodology, introduce incentives to encourage attendance, supervise students’ works and engage them in practicals.

     

    “The school environment not being conducive may result in a situation where a student will not want to stay in the class.

    “Even when compelled, it can  lead to him/her not concentrating,” the educationist told NAN.

     

    She said that  managements of schools should also  make parent-teacher association meetings compulsory so that parents could work in collaboration with teachers and school managements for the good of their children.

     

    She advised students to develop interest in academics, avoid missing classes, participate in class works and build positive and healthy relationships that would have a  good influence on them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    MIL/IGO

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

     

     

  • Kano earmarks N2.9bn to settle NECO, NBAIS exam fees

    Fees
    By Muhammad Nur Tijani
    Kano, May 6, 2024 (NAN) The Kano state government says it has earmarked N2.9 billion for payment of the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) examination fees for 119,903 indigent students.
    The Commissioner for Education, Umar Doguwa, who stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Kano, said the students passed the 2024 Qualifying Examination.
    He said the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved payment of the exam fees for students who passed four subjects in the qualifying examination.
    The commissioner said the beneficiaries comprise 109,891 students representing 83 per cent for NECO and 10,012 others representing 97.24 per cent for the NBAIS examination.
    Doguwa said that N2.6 billion would be spent on candidates for the NECO and N248 million for those writing NBAIS examinations, respectively.
    The gesture, he said, would assist indigent students to sat for the examinations and further their education.
    “In our effort to ensure that our students got admission to higher institutions, the Abba Kabir Yusuf-led administration paid NECO and NBAIS for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 registration fees inherited from the previous government,” he said.
    While reiterating commitment to uplift the standards of education, Duguwa sought support for government’s programmes to address challenges bedevilling the education sector in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    MNT/RSA
    =========
    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • Teaching not a relegated profession – SUBEB boss

    Cross session of the selected participantsTeaching

    By Olaide Ayinde 

    Bauchi, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Alhaji Adamu Duguri, the Chairman, Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has said that teaching was not a relegated profession due to its contributions to national development. 

    He stated this at the end of a three-day capacity building exercise of 30 teachers of core subjects on Thursday in Bauchi.

    The exercise was being implemented by the state government in collaboration with the Girls Education Mission International (GEM) project and TY Danjuma Foundation.

    Duguri tasked the teachers to be upright and dedicated towards imparting relevant knowledge in their students, to further move the profession to its rightful place.

    “It is your responsibility to make the state and country habitable because when you train people, you are training the whole country.

    “Thuggery, terrorism and other form of crimes are major organ of illiteracy because a learned person could not dagger or kill a fellow citizen no matter their differences.

    “So, I believe that if people are trained, then progress is imminent.

    “Don’t assume that teaching is a relegated profession, Try to bring the profession back to its initial position to earn the respect you deserve,” he said.

    He, however, lamented that the state government was investing huge resources in the education sector without corresponding commitment by teachers

    “There are teachers that even steal equipment in schools, and the spate of harassment against students by some teachers is also disheartening.

    “When teachers are immoral, there will be serious problem in the society,” he said.

    Also speaking,  Ketura Shammah, the Executive Director, Girls Education Mission International, described the exercise as worthwhile considering the responses of the teachers. 

    She said the participants were expected to step down the training to about 5,000 teachers in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    EED/RSA

    ========

    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • Recruitment: We give priority to STEM teachers – TESCOM 

     

    Recruitment: We give priority to STEM teachers – TESCOM

     

    Teachers

     

    By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

     

    Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) says it will continue giving priority to teachers who major in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related subjects during recruitment.

     

    Mr Kayode Sutton, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, TESCOM, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the commission had been specific in the employment of teachers.

     

    Sutton said that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State’s administration had been proactive in the education sector, upscaling teachers through training, to enable them make impact in the teaching and learning of students.

     

    “We have specific teachers called STEM teachers, that is the Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology); Technical; English and Mathematics teachers; they are in dire need in most of our schools.

     

    “Therefore, we are giving priority to them in employment and that will continue, because teachers for these subjects are scarce and not easy to come by, and we must fill any available vacancy.

     

    “That does not imply that other subjects teachers are not considered for employment. We do.Infact, we have them in abundance across the schools.

     

    “However, we place priority on the STEM teachers in all schools across the education districts and we have been employing quite a good number of them, because of their importance,” he said.

     

    The Deputy Director said that the commission was working in collaboration with the six education districts across the state to fill-in the gaps where teachers retired for age or years of service.

     

    Sutton said that there were schools with too many students for a teachers, describing it as a shortcoming that was being addressed by the state government.

     

    He said that TESCOM had been recruiting, to reduce the teacher/students ratio in the schools, adding that, at least 30 students to one teacher was the target, and the state government was moving towards that.

     

    According to him, the governor has been magnanimous enough to approve what is called – the ‘Exit Replacement Plan’, a platform used to replace vacancies in post-primary schools.

     

    “We have a mandate to reduce the teachers/students ratio in our schools, because the students in each of the classes are much than the teacher to handle, we know this is a shortcoming.

     

    “As a responsible and responsive government, we have moved swiftly to address this in the last few years and employed thousands of teachers through an official platform.

     

    “The opportunity is explicitly for those that are education-based to apply, where they provide their details and requirements, they get a unique number that TESCOM will use to contact them,” he said.

     

    Sutton said that the commission visited the database, select randomly the needed subjects teachers; call them for interview; mini-test and brief teaching practice within the interview session, to get the best qualified. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    MIL/FON/VIV

    ============

    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Vivian Ihechu

  • Soludo appoints Prof Odinkalu as pro chancellor, Ojukwu varsity governing council

     

    Council

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

    Awka, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has appointed Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State.

    Soludo’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

    Aburime said that the new Council was assembled with a focus on excellence, integrity and strategic leadership.

    The statement said that the Council would provide guidance and oversight for the continued growth and development of the state-owned university.

    Other members of the Council are Mrs Ifeoma Ekwueme, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi and Igwe Oranu Chidume. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    LCO/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • Zamfara pays N3bn outstanding SSCE exam fees – Commissioner

    Fees

    By Ishaq Zaki
    Gusau, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Zamfara Government has paid over N3 billion outstanding Senior Secondary Schools Examination (SSCE) fees, left by the previous administration in the state.
    The State Commissioner for Science and Technical Education, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki, disclosed this to newsmen in Gusau on Tuesday.
    “This is one of the greatest achievements recorded by Gov. Dauda Lawal’s  administration in the education sector, within one year.
    “You know, education is number two among priority agenda of the present administration, considering the fact that education is the bedrock for development of every society.
    “That is why, immediately he assumed office, the governor declared state of emergency in the education sector”, Madawaki said.
    The commissioner added: “We find a situation in the state where our children graduated from secondary schools, but without results.
    “This is simply because the past administration, failed to pay outstanding Senior Secondary Schools Examination fees.
    “The state was owing West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) over N3 billion.
    “This affected the enrolment of our children in tertiary institutions, across the country for the past three years, but this administration, within one year in office, has paid all the outstanding, to the examination bodies, amounting to over N3 billion”.
    The commissioner said the students had secured their results that had been withheld for the past three years, and had enrolled into various tertiary institutions across the country.”
    He added that the present administration had also embarked on addressing other challenges, affecting education sector in the state.
    “We are working, day and night to address various challenges in the education sector in the state”, he explained.
    Specifically, he said the governor was addressing challenges such as, infrastructure decay, non availability of teaching and learning materials in schools, inadequate libraries, laboratories, as well as inadequate qualified teachers.
    “We have also made proper arrangement to enhance capacity building, training and retraining for education staff.
    “We have since embarked on the total renovation of 325 schools across the state, and we are going to construct and renovate laboratories, across schools in the state”, he added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IZ/ARIS/ROT
    ===========
    Edited by Idowu Ariwodola/Rotimi Ijikanmi