The Nation Newspaper

Tag: primary schools

  • Suswan and plight of Benue teachers

    SIR: Primary schools are where one starts acquiring formal education as the foundation or beginning of a journey towards his or her chosen career in life.

    However, Benue State government under the leadership of Governor Gabriel Suswan has being so lackadaisical about the education at the primary school level in the state. This is because, teachers in the state owned primary schools have been on strike for more than eight months now. The governor is however more concerned with plans and strategies to enable him perfect his ambition to win the 2015 senatorial seat against Senator Barnabas Gemade.

    If the governor had bothered to reflect properly, he would have known that tackling the problem of primary schools’ teachers is one of the major things that could make people vote for him and not by using money to buy people or bribe them to vote for him when time comes as he may be thinking and planning.

    In case Governor Suswan does not yet appreciate this, the provision of education for the people of Benue State is one of his responsibilities as governor. It is not something that the people of the state have to beg him for. Therefore, as a matter of urgent necessity, let him start doing what he supposed to do to get the primary schools’ teachers back to classes peacefully without victimization.

    What is right must be done to end the ongoing getting to a year strike of the primary schools’ teachers in Benue State.

    Enough is enough.

    • Awunah Pius Terwase

    Mpape, Abuja

     

  • Quiz competitions for Oyo primary schools begin

    Quiz competitions for Oyo primary schools begin

    Worried by the high prevalence of examination malpractices in the country, Kingston College, Ibadan (KCI), has kicked-off the maiden edition of its Inter-School Quiz Competition for primary schools in Oyo State in order to prepare pupils to confront future challenges in their academic pursuits.

    The participating schools include, St. Patrick School, BISKAN Golden Heritage School, Mary Hill Convent School, Precious Heritage School, Police Children School 1, Air Force Primary School, IAR&T Staff School, Kingdom Heritage Model School, St. Catherine School, Olives International School, Develiz Golden School, Rosebud School and Grace Kiddies Porch School.

    In his welcome address, at KCI auditorium, Eleyele, Ibadan, the chairman, Board of Directors of KCI, Prof. Labo Popoola, stated that the competition was coming at a time when examination malpractices are gradually eroding ideals and values of sustainable education.

    According to the university don, the competition was packaged primarily to ignite the can do spirit in the young pupils for future challenges.

    He went further that the opportunity will undoubtedly impact positively on the lives of the pupils by way of instilling in them the virtues of hardwork, total commitment to their studies and self confidence.

    “This competition is coming at a time when examination malpractices are gradually eroding the lofty ideals and values of sustainable education,” Popoola said.

    The participants, he said, will be examined in Mathematics, English Language, Basic Science and Current Affairs.

    Addressing journalist shortly after the event, the executive director of Kingston College, Mr. Kayode Fasola stated that the competition would focus on tasking pupils intellect which prepares them to confront future challenges.

    Fasola stated that this will stoke the spirit of competitiveness in primary school pupils, adding that it was designed to encourage them to collectively solve problems.

    The director of the school described Kingston College as an emerging world class school with a vision to train pupils in an atmosphere that is underpinned by excellence.

    “ We are passion-driven to provide a top-notch qualitative education and I encourage all participating schools to put in their best as success can only be achieved through hardwork.”

  • Foundation donates books to primary schools

    Foundation donates books to primary schools

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO) under the auspices of Ovu Foundation has donated over 13,000 notebooks and writing materials worth thousands of naira to primary schools in Ovu in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Presenting the notebooks and writing materials to the Chief Inspector of Education, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Mrs. Kehinde Oderhohwo on behalf of the primary schools at Urhodo-Ovu Primary School, the president of the foundation, Dr. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh said education is one of their priorities and that the donation of the note books has been on since the past four years.

    Dr. Rim-Rukeh, who said that the foundation is working towards putting up an electronic library at the Ovu Junction, explained that this year’s book presentation ceremony was peculiar, adding that it was the first time the foundation, over four years of its existence, is coming into partnership with the National Youth Service Corps in the area of Community Development Service Project in ensuring that teachers and pupils are in good learning environment.

    Dr. Rim-Rukeh and the Secretary-General of the foundation, Mr. Israel Imide said during this year’s 4th annual flag-off and books and writing materials presentation, the foundation has made available 13,000 note books and writing materials to pupils in the primary schools. He also said that they plan to organise reading competition among the pupils to discourage the non-reading culture among the children as it is currently experienced in the area.

    They said the foundation is currently collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps, after having received their financial appeal to also raise the standard of education in the area where they are posted to. We reasoned that since their appeal was in line with their dream, they could wait to give the financial assistance they requested for through one of the corps, Miss Kalejaiye Modukpe serving in one of the primary schools in the area.

    Responding on behalf of the primary schools, the Ethiope East Local Government Area Chief Inspector of Education, Mrs. Kehinde Owe Oderhohwo; the President-General of Ovu Development Union, Mr. Joseph Ukukor and the representative of Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Hon. Sunday Eromedoghene praised the foundation for the donation for the gesture.

    They said Ovu Foundation is worth emulating, as according to them, their task in the promotion of education in the area has, in no small measure, raised the standard of education, adding that the foundation will improve the lives of members of the community.