Education
Kaduna Private Schools In Dire Need Of Health Services – Survey
Socio-Demographic Survey and Graded Assessment of Non-State Schools’ have indicated lack of adequate health services in some private primary schools in Kaduna State.
The Tide source reports that the survey, supported by Partnership for Education for All in Nigeria (PLANE) covered 371 private schools in Kaduna South,Kaduna North, Jaba, Sabon Gari, Sanga, and Soba Local Government Areas.
The survey indicated that of the 371 schools, 119 had health facilities, representing 38 per cent.
Dr James Fadokun, Technical Lead on Governance of Non-State System, PLANE, who presented the findings, said that of the figure, 61.7 per cent had First Aid facilities, while only one per cent had a Sick Bay.
Meanwhile, Mr Samaila Leeman, Permanent Member, Schools Management, The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (Kaduna SUBEB) said most government-owned primary and junior secondary schools in the state, had First Aid facilities.
He told The Tide source that the facilities were being handled by Health Education and Science teachers, just as he confirmed that no school in those categories had ambulance.
On monitoring and inspection of schools, the permanent member said measures were being taken to ensure effective surveillance.
He said the monitoring structure began with the Head Teacher at the school level, to School Supports Officers (SSOs) and Social Mobilisation Officers, who reported to the Head of Department at Local Government Education Authority (LGEA).
He added that there were also Quality Assurance Officers and Quality Evaluators under the State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, who equally inspected schools to ensure adherence to minimum standards.
“The SSOs are allocated a number of schools to monitor and mentor, and to make corrections, based on noticed anomalies.
“The Social Mobilisation Officers deal with the communities through the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in addressing issues in schools at community level.
“The Quality Assurance Officers and School Evaluators on the other hand, assess the school, identify the problem, make analysis, and report to the SSQAA, LGEA and SUBEB for action, where necessary.
“SUBEB management equally carries out unscheduled monitoring visits to schools,” he said.
Leeman added that the Monitoring and Evaluation Department in the state Planning and Budget Commission also monitored the delivery of projects in schools, and received feedback from citizens on development in schools.
Also speaking to NAN, Mr Bello Mohammed, Director, Private Schools, Kaduna State Quality Assurance Authority, said government had put in place, vigorous registration process.
He said one of the requirements for the establishment of a school was the qualification of the head of the school, adding that approval would not be granted if the head had no professional teaching qualification.
“A prospective proprietor would also need to identify the nature and address of the institution, number of classes and number of learners admitted or intended to be admitted per class.
“The name of the institution shall clearly indicate the curriculum offered, whether nursery, basic education, or secondary education.
“We also require a certified copy of certificate of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and where the proprietor is not a Nigerian, a copy of residence permit and statement of his country shall be attached.
“A letter of no objection shall be obtained from the Ward, Village, or District Head of the area the institution will be located,” he explained.
Speaking on other conditions for approval of applications , the director added that no permission shall be granted unless the premises of the institution contained the minimum education facilities.
He identified some of the required facilities to include a structural plan, which demanded that internal dimension of each classroom should not be less than nine by seven meters.
He added that each classroom must contain a floor space comprising not less than fifteen square feet to each learner in the class.
He also said that the walls demarcating one classroom from another must be built at least from the floor level to the ceiling roof ridge.
He said other requirements, included categorisation of schools based on facilities available and intended curriculum, and a payment of annual subscription based on the category approved.
NAN reports that the commission had in March 2022, begun the registration of private schools as limited liability companies, and not as a business entity, to ensure continuity.
The Head of CAC Zonal Office in Kaduna, Abdulkadir Modibbo, had explained that private schools were essentially a corporate body capable of contracting businesses, and could sue and be sued.
He said registering schools as a limited liability company would ensure the continuity of the schools even if their owners passed away. (NAN)
The Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Alabo David Briggs and his Post Primary Schools Board, counterpart, Dr. Sam Emejuru recently embarked on a joint visit to Model Girls Secondary School, Mbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Arera of Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after interacting with the students, Alabo Briggs said both of them were in the school to know how the students are faring, how happy they are, and to also know their areas of need and then take pragmatic decisions that would enhance the wellbeing of the students.
Describing the school as the only boarding school in Rivers State made up of Senior and Junior Secondary, the UBE boss said the visit has actually afforded them the opportunity to know what is lacking in the school, and promised that every machinery would be adequately put in place to ensure that the school is made more attractive and students well taken care of.
He further maintained that the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and staff of the school must rise to the occasion so as to bring back the lost glory of the school and ensure that the students are treated and well handled like their own children.
Corroborating the UBE boss, Dr. Sam Emejuru of the Post Primary School promised that everything possible would be done to reposition the school, and appealed to all concerned to be patient.
During the visit, the two Board chairmen and their members met with the school authorities wherein issues bordering on the school were discreetly ironed out and some good changes made.
Alabo Briggs also gave cash to some of the students that performed well in the essay competition that took place in Port Harcourt.
The students were also given cartons of sanitary pads to mark the International Day of the Girl Child which was celebrated all over the world recently.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) support programme on report writing for Chief Supervisors and Evaluators of the Local Government Areas took place recently at the UBE Board Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the participants, the Board member in charge of Supervision/Monitoring, Chief Nwuke Anucha, described the programme as very interesting and educative as it is aimed at broadening the knowledge of the Chief Supervisors and Evaluators on report writing.
While thanking UBEC for the initiative, Chief Anucha also commended the resource persons who came from UBEC Abuja for doing a good job and appealed to the participants to see the support programme on report writing as an opportunity to do better.
Also speaking, the Board member, Project/Technical, Dr. Walson Ominini described the programme as a good one that all the participants must take seriously for the good of Rivers State.
Ominini used the medium to announce the personnel audit for staff of the Local Government Education Authorities in the three Senatorial zones coming up next week at the Board Headquarters adding that any staff of the LGEA who does not take part in the Audit should regard himself or herself as not being a staff of UBE.
In her vote of thanks, the Director, Quality Assurance, Mrs. Nnenna Osumenya thanked UBEC for the programme, and described it as a welcomed development.
She particularly thanked the Executive Chairman of the Board, Alabo David Briggs and the Board members for giving the programme the needed attention.
By: Akujobi Amadi
In cognizance of the value of reading in educational, career and knowledge pursuits, TotalEnergies Joint Venture(JV) Asset has committed itself to instilling the habit in students of secondary schools to enable them succeed in their academic pursuits and become good leaders of tommorow.
This, it is achieving through its Annual Book Reading and Open Day programme.
This year’s event, organised for Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State,with the theme, ‘The World Is A Maze; Navigate It — Read’ and held at the Event Centre, TotalEnergies Office, PortHarcourt, explored the book, ‘Unexpected Joy At Dawn’ by Ghanaian author, Alex Agyei Agyiri.
Participating schools chosen across Port Harcourt included Government Technical College, PortHarcourt; Bishop Crowther Memorial Secondary School, Rumuobiakani; Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School; Community Secondary School, Rumuomasi, and Hilltop Prime International College.
Others were Community Secondary School, Amadi-Ama; Government Senior Secondary School, Elekahia; Community Secondary School, Nkpogu; Dietams International Schools; and Community Secondary School, Abuloma.
In his address, the Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset, TotalEnergies EP, Nigeria Limited, Olivier Cassassoles, said reading habit remains a major essential needed for life’s development in information, direction and character building, and stressed the need for the students, many of whom he said would grow to become leaders to cultivate and sustain the culture.
Cassassoles, who was represented by the Executive Director, JV Asset, PortHarcourt, Obi Imemba, quoted former American President, Barack Obama’s words, “reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible” and stated that “this clearly aligns with the theme of the day and implies that in order to successfully navigate the complexities of life, one needs to read”.
Cassassoles said “as students, many of you will grow to be leaders and leaders need a lot of information to stay relevant. The books you read will shape your future and through them you will find wisdom to make a difference”.
According to him, the book reading event is one that the company holds dear to heart as it promotes the culture of reading among students in Nigeria.
While encouraging the students to make conscientious effort to research good books with themes and characters that align with what they intend to do in future, Cassassoles expressed the hope that the students would commit themselves to a life of reading, adding that “I expect that you will be leaving here with a clearer idea of the career path you want to pursue “.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, described this year’s theme as ‘most appropriate’ at a time when students have abandoned the text book for not only the phone – Whatsapp, Twitter etcetera but other vices.
Represented by the Technical Adviser to the Commissioner, Dr Joy Nwamaka Joseph, Chukwuma noted that reading is an effective tool for engaging students in critical thinking, saying “a student that reads focuses attention on the task at hand, immersing them in information and improving his/her concentration and memory”, insisting that students must read in order to navigate this maze-like world successfully.
The Commissioner commended TotalEnergies for “always seeking to improve the educational standards of our pupils, students, under/post graduates in our institutions and for inspiring them to develop the habit of reading as a life style”.
Earlier, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies, Charles Ebereonwu, revealed that the annual reading event is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) targeted at making the best of future leaders.
In his closing remarks, the Special Adviser, People and Talent Management, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Samuel Nkwo, lauded the students for going beyond reading the book to taking lessons there from.
“What has happened here today has given us encouragement that this is a good thing to do and that we should continue to do it” Nkwo said.
Highlights of the event included reading and discussion of the book, ‘Unexpected Joy At Dawn’, questions and answers session and presentation of gift items including school bags, solar lamps, books among others to the students.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu