Agency Reporter

The Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) says it has begun the training of 50 teachers on improvisation and toy making, to enhance Early Child Care (ECC) development education.

The state Coordinator of ECC, Fatima Ibrahim, stated this at the inauguration of a five-day training programme for teachers, in Kano on Monday.

Ibrahim said that the exercise was designed to expose teachers to the ‘Radio in Media Child-centred methodology to aid teaching and learning in the early stage.

She said that the training was also aimed at meeting up with the one-year pre-primary education curriculum, in line with the ‘Radio Chart’ methodology.

The coordinator added that participants at the exercise were drawn from Dambatta, Sumaila, Kano Municipal, Nasarawa, Gwale, and Ungogo local government areas of the state.

READ ALSO: Tracking Kano SUBEB’s billions

“The training will improve skills to enable teachers to improvise low-cost materials to aid learning.

“ECC is to use propagation to educate the child through effective utilisation of improvised learning materials,” she said.
Ibrahim added that the training exercise was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Two of the participants, Magajiya Usman and Hindatu Sani, commended the board and UNICEF for organising the training, saying that it would go a long way in enhancing the teaching and learning process in the state.

(NAN)

Our Reporter

The Network for Best Practice and Integrity in Leadership (NEBPRIL) has told the National Assembly to lead a patriotic initiative, hinged on fiscal discipline, prudent budgeting, and reinvigorate its oversight functions, to put Nigeria on the path of speedy post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

This initiative, the Civil Society Organisation (CSO), said includes suspension of constituency projects for one year; strengthening oversight mechanisms to ensure blockage of avenues of wastage; application of NASS legislative powers on budgeting to redirect subsidy removal savings, to invest in healthcare and education e-learning infrastructure and capacity-building; the two sectors the pandemic has exposed grave inadequacies and pathetic fragility.

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has approved promotion of six academic staff to the rank of professor and four others to the rank of Associate professor.

The approval was given at the 87th Regular meeting of Council on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th September 2020.

The promotion, which took effect from 2018 and 2019, followed the receipt of the favourable external assessment report of their publications, a statement by the Head, Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, said on Sunday in Abuja.

Those newly promoted to the rank of professor include: Dr Wasiu Olugbenga Gabadeen, Educational Management; Dr Ogbe Adamu Okuwa, Veterinary Medicine; Dr Idu Edwin Ejoga, Agricultural Extension and Communication; Dr Pam Z. Chuwang, Field Crops Agronomy; Dr Binta Ibrahim Zaifada, Educational Administration and Planning and Dr Oke Eunice Bose, Educational Management.

Those promoted to the rank of associate professor, include Dr Hamza Na’Uzo, with specialization in Grammar, Semantics and Socio-linguistics; Dr Dada Mathew Sunday, Educational Administration and Planning; Dr Biyaya Beatrice Nwankwo, Community Medicine; and Dr Yunusa Thairu, Medical Microbiology and Parasitology.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, while congratulating the staff, said their promotion was a testimony to their hard work and dedication to scholarship.

He said: “I hereby convey my warm congratulations to all these deserving and exceptional academic staff of the UofA!

“You have all earned this promotion through perseverance in your various academic fields.”

He charged the staff not to rest on their oars, stressing that this is the moment they must engage more in quality research and teaching for the betterment of the University and for national development.

Professor Na’Allah said more promotion of academic and non-teaching staff would be treated at the next Council meeting, adding that Council has asked Appointments and Promotions Committee (A&PC) to meet soon to address some issues concerning staff who have applied for promotion as well as resolve all matters concerning interviews and position vacancies.

While expressing gratitude to the staff and students for their cooperation with his administration, he assured them of his continued commitment to creating an enabling environment for research, scholarship and physical development that will lift the University to new heights and register it among world-class universities.

By Gboyega Alaka

A five-man committee led by Moyo Ogunlewe has presented a qualitative structure on development on education tagged “Educational Accessment of Public Schools” in Kosofe Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Ogunlewe, represented by the secretary of the committee, Hon. Funsho Oduntan, made the presentation to Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Babatunde Okanlawon, Thursday, at a brief ceremony at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja.

The committee was instituted in May this year to create an aiding structure to fashion out ways and means of complimenting government’s effort at delivering qualitative education in Kosofe Constituency 1, as well as carry out the academic needs assessment of public and secondary schools in the constituency.

It also had the mandate to recommend panacea to challenges inhibiting the growth of education, promote school effectiveness and learning outcomes as well as promote optimum use of online platforms for teaching and as scholarship criteria.

Said Oduntan: “We have put things together to addressing those evolving issues, with a view that when these are properly implemented, they will add value to educational system of Kosofe Local Government. We have also carefully selected the children for the forthcoming award called “Diligent Children,” for the scholarship from 7 wards and equally recommended what will fit.”

Speaking, Hon Okanlawon, who spoke on corporate social Responsibility (CSR), called for partnership from corporate organisations.

By David Adenuga Bauchi

The Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has met on developing template to ensure safety preventive measures are put in place as laid down  by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC) guidelines for reopening of schools across the country.

Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemwka  Nwajiuba, stated this at a four-day zonal stakeholders dialogue in Bauchi State on school re-opening  readiness .

Nwajiuba, who was represented by Asanbe Francis of the Federal Ministry of Education, regretted how the closure of schools for almost seven months created a huge gap in the education sector.

READ ALSO: We‘re still evaluating school reopening – FG

He explained that the ministry considered it expedient to hold the stakeholders dialogue on safe school re-opening simultaneously in the six geographical zones, adding at  end of the meeting , there would be a readiness template which will  require the full engagement of all stakeholders  for its successful implementation.

UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Mr Bhanu Pathak,lamented millions of pupils are missing out on education, which is a fundamental human right and exposed to more setbacks such as examination failure.

According to him, UNICEF will work with the established framework and guidelines provided by Federal Ministry of Education(FME) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with support from UNICEF/Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom (formerly DFID).

He said the UNICEF National Country Office State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) domesticated the FME /UBEC National response plans to ensure continuity of learning while children are at home.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State has vowed not to withdraw from the ongoing strike by the national body despite directives to the contrary.

The chairperson of the body, Prof Alphonsus Aniebo, stated this on Friday during a solidarity visit of the Owerri Zone executive of the body to the institution over alleged threats by the institution’s management over the strike.

He accused the management of coercing members to abandon the national strike, saying the university had benefited immensely from several agitations and demands of the parent body.

He said any decision to boycott the strike would spell doom for the members in view of the unfair treatment from the institution, including denial of entitlements.

He said, “Don’t be surprised if I’m sacked any moment now. My life and job are in danger, but if they kill me or sack me another ASUU executive will spring up in this university.

“The strike is not about Prof Aniebo. It’s about saving our public universities from destruction. We don’t have the resources to train our children abroad or in private universities; public universities are our only hope to give our children an education.

“Most of the projects in the university are products of ASUU’s struggle. Yet the management is asking us to abandon the national union. If we abandon ASUU, we’ll die.

“We have lots of internal problems that are yet to be attended to. There’s no budget monitoring committee at the university. There’s no retirement programme for anybody here. Some lecturers become sick when they remember their retirement is coming.”

Coordinator, Owerri zone, Comrade Uzor Onyebinanma of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Umuahia, Abia State expressed disappointment with the management of the institution for using armed security men to harass them.

He said: “When we came here for our Congress, the VC sent armed persons to send us away from the hall. Congress has been holding here since 2006.

“Even when we came out under the tree, the same armed persons came to tell us we don’t have the right to stand under the tree, even as lecturers in the university, that we should leave.

“This is actually a Zonal solidarity visitation to ASUU COOU, because so much complaints have come to the Zone as to the actions of the VC in suppressing the branch.”

By Onimisi Alao, Yola

The Adamawa State Government has announced that schools will reopen next month, Monday October 12.

The government has consequently asked public and private schools at all levels across the state as well as parents and students to prepare for resumption of academic activities.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who issued the directive, regretted the long closure of schools due to the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic but said everything would be done to ensure safety in all the schools.

All the foregoing is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Hmwashi Wonosikou.

The statement quoted Fintiri as saying, “I am pleased to announce Monday October 12th as the date for resumption of academic activities from the Basic to Tertiary levels having wasted so much time.

“As a Government we will not leave any stone unturned towards ensuring enforcement of the COVID-19 Protocols”.

According to the statement, the Governor has directed the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to meet with stakeholders in the sector to discuss modalities for the reopening.

“The Governor has also directed school managers to observe the COVID-19 Protocols and provide the necessary requirements needed for the safety of Students.

“He warned that schools must ensure washing of hands at entry points, use of facemask and hand sanitizers as well as social distancing and proper hygiene as any institution or school found wanting risk closure and sanctioning,” the statement added.

It said the governor advised parents to take interest in the health of their children and wards by assisting schools and providing the basic requirements for their children in the fight against the pandemic.

Agency Reporter

Delta State Government has approved the establishment of six new secondary and three primary schools in different parts of the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu disclosed this while briefing journalists on key decisions reached at the virtual meeting of the State Executive Council meeting presided over the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Mr. Aniagwu said that the new schools were meant to wholistically address the educational needs of people in the areas where they are to be established.

According to him, the six new secondary schools would be sited at Warri South, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Ika South, Ika North East and Ukwuani Local Government Areas ,while the three new primary schools would be sited at Ughelli North, Warri South West and Isoko North Local Government Areas of the state.

“The government has, also approved the construction of six new secondary schools and three new primary schools. It actually supposed to be seven new secondary schools but one of them in Warri North was stepped down because of the issue of naming.

“The reason for the establishment of the new schools is that the carrying capacities of schools in those areas are not meeting up with the challenges and the need of our people to school beyond their primary and basic education.

“You do know that as a state, we love education and to increase the carrying capacity of our educational institutions, government has approved the establishment of these six new secondary schools and the three new primary schools.

Read Also: Primary, secondary schools resume amid COVID-19 concerns

“We must also, commend some communities that are also providing certain helping hands to government by making land available in some of their communities for the establishment of the new schools even if they were the ones that demanded for these schools, the Commissioner stated.

He said that the state Exco, also approved the sum of N488.4 million for the completion of the first phase of the Faculty of Arts building of the Delta State University, Abraka.

The Commissioner disclosed that Exco gave approval for the Procurement Officer’s Cadre in the state civil service which, he said, was aimed at bringing transparency and accountability in governance.

“Government, also approved the inclusion of Procurement Officer Cadre. You recall not long ago, we passed the Procurement Bill in line with the federal government guideline on procurement.

“You do know that the federal government had passed that long time ago and we were able to domesticate it here in Delta State. So, that necessitated the need to have officers that are fully responsible for issue of procurement,” he added.

To further strengthen the control of flood in parts of Asaba, Mr. Aniagwu said that the Exco approved the connection of the surface drains into the underground drainage, stressing that the project would take care of flood experienced on Jesus Saves Road, NTA Asaba area, Government House axis, DBS Road and Summit Road as well as Gagas Road.

He disclosed that approval was equally given for the review of some housing projects in the state Ministry of Housing in liaison with private developers.

While saying that there was need for people to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols, Mr. Aniagwu advised those in flood prone areas of the state to be at alert so as not to be caught unawares.

The Commissioner said that Exco commiserated with the family of the first civilian Deputy Governor of the state, Sir Simeon Ebonka who passed on in the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, 2020, adding that a minute silence was observed in his honour.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

Acting Provost, College of Education, Gindiri, Plateau State, Prof. Cletus Gotan, has appealed to workers and other stakeholders of the institution to unite to ensure the development of the college

He said during an interactive session with members of the Plateau State House of Assembly Committee on Education that Governor Simon Lalong’s love for education led to the transformation of the institution into a digitally-improved college.

Since his appointment as acting provost in June 2018, Gotan said there had been tremendous developments in the institution.

Read Also: Adefaye named Provost of NIJ

He said his administration addressed the non-issuance of Students’ ID card, debts, truncated academic activities, restoration of broken down/destroyed properties and buildings as a result of the students’ unrest, inability to access Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) intervention grants, and non-accreditation of courses.

The team also encountered some challenges, which included union/management of teaching practice allowances, backlog of TSA amounting to over N100 million, college security/police outpost.

Gotan said the institution’s degree programme would soon take off, adding that plans were in place to resuscitate the college’s fishpond, poultry, and block industry to boost its internally generated revenue (IGR).

The member representing Quan Pan North and House Chairman, Committee on Education, Eric Dakagoel, expressed delight with the level of work done by the acting provost and his team at the college.

From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A group of youths in Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State have expressed dismay over alleged abandonment of the only two public secondary schools in the area.

The youths under the aegis of Osumenyi Youth Council said it was unfortunate that pupils offering science in the school had been studying without laboratories for decades.

President of the group, Dr Charles Ebulue, who spoke during sensitisation on COVID-19 and distribution of facemasks to the people, appealed for government intervention.

He regretted that most students had lost interest in science as a result.

He said: “Boys High School, Osumenyi and its Girls’ Secondary School counterpart have been running without science laboratories. This situation has continued to incapacitate science students and study of science in the two schools.

Read Also: Commissioner rates Benue high in education

“We don’t have laboratories or science equipment in those two schools. No Physics, Chemistry or other sciences laboratories. There is no way in this 21st century you will talk about progress in the world without science.

“We implore Governor Obiano, who is education-friendly to come to our aid. These schools have been in existence since 1979 and the situation has been like that except some few years in the past when an attempt was made but they later returned to status quo.

“This does not in any way encourage the study of science in Osumenyi community and many of the students have lost interest in science.”

On the COVID-19 preventive campaign, Ebulue said the exercise was targeted at checkmating community spread of the virus, which he noted, many of the rural dwellers never believed was real.