The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Unity schools

  • Fed Govt promises security for students in Unity schools

    Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu has promised adequate support for the security of lives and property of students of Federal Unity Colleges and other schools in the country.

    Adamu gave the promised in Abuja yesterday at the inauguration of the Central Planning Committee on Security Education and Awareness Campaign for Principals and Teachers of Federal Government Colleges.

    Adamu said that over the past decade, Nigeria had grown more insecure, largely due to ethno-religious crisis and Boko Haram insurgency in the north, cultism and ritual killings in the south.

    He said that it was worrisome as the educational institutions had become targets of insurgents.

    “School security is vital to effective teaching and learning. Presently, the safety of the school child is of primary concern to stakeholders in the education sector.

    “In different parts of the country, the country, communal and ethnic crisis erupted and hindered the smooth functioning of schools.”

    The minister added that insecurity in schools was not a problem unique to Nigeria alone, adding that the difference was on how to effectively manage the threats.

    He, however, called for partnership from stakeholders to curb the rising security challenges in schools.

    He said the ministry had also approved the proposal of Security Awareness and Justice Foundation, an NGO, to organise a training programme for principals and teachers on how to deal with security challenges in schools.

    He added that a committee with membership from departments responsible for management of unity schools and the NGO was set up to look for ways to address the security challenges in schools.

    Former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro said the teenagers had been the most affected in the recurring violence and crisis in the country.

    He said proper security awareness by principals and teachers would help to combat most of the problems in the schools.

    “Like every well meaning Nigerian, our foundation feels greatly concerned about this untoward situation.

     

    “Our focus on this project shall be on children, to whom we remain committed.

    “We have resolved to collaborate with the government in raising the quality of life of every child, regardless of ethnic, creed or circumstance to achieve their full potential without fear of security attacks on their schools. ”

    Okiro, however, said the principals and teachers would be required to go back to their various schools to impact the knowledge they have acquired.

  • FG releases unity schools’ admission list

    FG releases unity schools’ admission list

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Wednesday approved the release of list of successful candidates into the Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) for the 2017/2018 academic year.

    A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education quoted the minister as saying that admission list into JSSI was on notice boards in the colleges and their websites.

    The statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Priscilla Ihuoma, said the list was also online: http://www.fmeinterviewtest.com or the ministry’s website www.education.gov.ng.

    “Students who have been offered provisional admission have two weeks after the release of the results to accept the offer, otherwise, they will be replaced by other candidates,’’ the statement said.

    NAN

     

  • Unity Schools PTA scores education minister low

    The Southwest Zone of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has scored the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, low on efficiency of Unity Schools in the country.

    The association in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital last weekend, accused the minister of poor handling of the strike by academic staff of the schools in Southwest which it said has crippled academic activities and prevents the school children from their parents while they idle in their various school premises.

    The communiqué, which was signed by the Zonal Chairman, Mr Adebayo Olayide, read in part: “The meeting, however, scored the Ministry of Education under Mallam Adamu Adamu,  very low especially as regards the way it handled academic activities that have been crippled with the strike action embarked upon by the teaching staff of some unity colleges in the Southwest in the last six weeks.

    “The forum noticed with dismay the non-challant attitude of the Federal Ministry of Education towards the strike embarked upon by Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN). The forum is particularly worried that our children in their teens are kept in school without doing anything and the ministry refused to release them to their parents, not minding the psychological effects of the present ugly situation on these innocent children.

    “The forum hereby appeals to the Federal Ministry of Education to resolve the issues with the striking teachers, so that the future of our children will not be jeopardised.”

    The parents also expressed worry that the ministry was not doing enough on the absorption of PTA teachers into permanent positions most of who have been on PTA job in the last 10 years.

  • Old pupils mull Unity Schools ‘take over’

    The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has expressed concern over the poor state of infrastructure, academic performance and staff welfare in the 104 unity schools in the country.

    Speaking during the 31st plenary  and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, an old pupil, Prof Yemi Fawehinmi, called for a sense of ownership by old students to inspire them to contribute to the development of their alma mater.

    He said: “One of the problems with the Nigerian educational system is that when they graduate us, they also detach us from the school. If we go back to our old schools, we are more like strangers. Except we own these schools, nothing will change. Let us ask ourselves, what do we need to do to own these schools?”

    Fawehinmi, one of the panelists discussing the topic: ‘The state of our schools’, called for more authority to be given to principals of the schools to allow them run their schools effectively.

    “If we can be bothered about the poor state of structures, we should be more bothered about the state of mind of the teachers teaching these children.  There are critical skills they must possess. Principals are meant to be equipped to be ambassadors, leaders, public relations officers, accountants and the first image of the schools. But the Federal Ministry of Education has usurped all their power and they cannot make any move without authority from them. A principal who cannot decide the cut off marks of the pupils he wants in his school is just a senior prefect,” he said.

    Another panelist, Mrs Olabimpe Zaccheus, was disappointed that the Unity Schools’ old pupils could not place their own children in unity schools due to the poor state of the schools.

    She called on the old pupils to pay attention to sanitation, security and mentorship aspects of the schools.

    Former minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon Frank Nweke, an old pupil of the Federal Government College, Maiduguri, appealed for understanding with the government.

    He said: “We cannot get these schools back to the way they were before. We can only try to improve them. The population, state of the economy and other factors are different now from the way they were in those glory days. What is the equity in channelling all the resources of the over 5,000 schools in the country to 104 unity schools? That is not fair. What we should do is to try to understand the motive of the government in suggesting handing over the schools back to the missionaries.”

    On the state of unity schools in the Northeast, the group called for a restoration of the aim for which unity schools were established, which is to foster unity and diversity in the country.

    Dr Amina Salihu, who led this session, said: “Northeast schools,  only have Northeast children, because of security issues. We need to pay attention to details and state our intentions loud and clear through advocacy. We need to do an audit of the projects we have carried out in the schools and let government know the impact old students have on these schools. We need to nurture the ability of our friends in power to deliver. Pay attention to physical and psycho-social infrastructure.”

  • Parents laud govt’s decision on Unity Schools’ PTA levies

    Some parents of pupils in the 104 Unity Schools nationwide have lauded Federal Government’s cancellation of development levies charged by Partes Teachers Association for new students. They also lauded government’s pegging of all dues at N5 000 per term.

    The parents who spoke in their individual capacities over the weekend, described those who are calling for the reversal as profiteers of the funds meant to improve students’ welfare.

    The parents many who are from King’s College Lagos, but pleaded not to be mentioned for the fear of exposing their children in the school for victimisation, lamented that over the years, parents have been moaning of paying those levies which to them, are not commensurate with the development of the students socially and academically.

    The parents believe the new N5000 levy should be adequate for the PTA to run the activities expected of them, provided that leadership of the association is transparently and accountable.

    A few months ago, the Federal Government through its Ministry of Education banned the collection of development levies by Parents Teachers Associations (PTA) 104 Unity Colleges. It henceforth put the PTA at N5000 across board.

  • Unity Schools fees hike: Minister, Perm Sec disagree

    Unity Schools fees hike: Minister, Perm Sec disagree

    National Parent and Teacher Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC) at the weekend kicked against increase in the fees of Unity schools.

    NAPTAFEGC, in a communiqué by its National President, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, said the increase from N20,000 to N75,000 was untimely and insensitive by the government.

    Nnaji told reporters that the fee was increased on June 1 by the government.

    The communiqué reads: “That the increase of school fees from about N20,000 to about N75,000 in Unity colleges is most untimely and insensitive. An average Nigerian worker, whose minimum wage is N18,000, and who has one or two children in the Unity colleges, will be unable to keep his or her child or children in the Unity colleges.

    “The increase is a negation of the policy or principle that established Unity colleges, which is to make basic and secondary education affordable and accessible to an average pupil.

    “The association appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly to compel the Federal Ministry of Education to revert to the old bills as the education of children is a right, and not a privilege.

    “The new fees, if not reversed, will force parents to withdraw their children from the Unity colleges.

    “The association will continue to partner the ministry  by complementing its efforts  in the provision of basic facilities in the Unity colleges.

    “The association appreciates the ministry in making the payment of insurance levy in the Unity colleges not compulsory, but optional.

    “The association frowns at any attempt to commercialise or make the cost of training children in the Unity colleges beyond the rich of an average parent.

    “Enough budgetary provision should be made and timely released to the Unity colleges to enable pupils to continue to compete favourably with those of other sound private schools.

    “The issue of security in Unity colleges must be given attention and commitment.

    “Pupils who have paid for books should always receive them in time and not when no longer needed.”

  • Association rejects insurance fee in unity schools

    The National Association of Parents and Teachers of Federal Government Colleges, an affiliate body of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), says it will not accept N5,000-insurance fee in unity schools.

    Mr Ehis Ogbeide, the former Chairman of PTA, Federal Government College, Kwali and North Central Zonal Coordinator of National Association of Parents and Teachers of Federal Government Colleges, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said that the association was not concerned about the old N1, 500-insurance scheme which had fizzled out on its own but would not accept the introduction of another fee.

    “There came in 2014 during our national election in Umuahia when parents were calling us on vacation day that there was this flier that was given to parents and children about insurance fee they intended to introduce.

    “By our constitution, the permanent secretary and our board of trustee members are supposed to be ones to conduct the election. So, the ministry sent a high powered delegation to that election.

    “And you know ordinarily when we have a policy shift, you call the national executive council to the ministry and then, you do a discourse.
    “We directed that no parents should pay because we were not part of that information; and as I am speaking right now, that is still our position for two years running.’’

    Ogbide said that afterwards, there was a directive from the National Executive Council for all chairmen in that council to send messages to their schools directing parents not to pay.

    He said that it was agreed with the ministry that there was a problem with the arrangement between NICON insurance and the ministry to introduce N5, 000-insurance fee.

    The former PTA chairman said that it was agreed that the fee should be put on hold while the insurance company went round the 104 unity schools to sensitise the parents.

    “The general reactions from schools even without us brainwashing them was that the fee was not acceptable by them; in some schools they even drove the insurance people out of the schools.

    “Up until now, the meeting to review the outcome of the sensitisation has not been held.

    “We also told them that Muslims do not have the permission of their religion to insure lives; they went behind our back and wrote circulars to their principals to carry out the directive but we are still saying no,’’ he said.

    He said that 5,000-insurance fee from every child in all the unity colleges would amount to more than N600 million per year.

    Ogbeide said that more than 75 per cent of parents of children in unity schools abided by the directive not to pay.

    He said, however, that some parents of new intakes paid as they did not know about the PTA directive.

    According to him, the association is open to dialogue as the new minister of education is willing to negotiate with it over the issue.

    Ogbeide said that the association had invested more than N500 million in unity colleges as a way of helping the Federal Government.

  • Budget: Senate uncovers N5b shortfall in unity schools’ vote

    The Senate Committee on Appropriation considering submissions of sub-committees on Thursday discovered N5 billion shortfall in the amount provided for meal subsidy for unity schools across the country.

    The shortfall also involved the personnel cost for Kings College Lagos as submitted in the 2016 budget proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The discoveries were made during collation of the 2016 budget of Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education by the Appropriation Committee.

    The Vice Chairman of the Committee on Education, Senator Rose Oko, who presented the report, explained that only N6.8 billion was proposed for meal subsidy for unity schools instead of N11.2b needed.

    Senator Oko noted that the amount is grossly inadequate for the unity schools meal subsidy, insisting that the amount provided will only last for six months.

    She underscored the need to look for N5 billion to meet up with this shortfall in the interest of the schools.

    Senator Oko also informed the Appropriation Committee about the N338 million omission in the personnel cost of the Kings College‎.

  • PS to PTA: don’t take over Unity Schools

    PS to PTA: don’t take over Unity Schools

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Dr Folashade Yemisi-Esan, has appealed to parents of the Federal Government’s Unity schools not to exert an overbearing influence on the schools.

    She made the appeal while inaugurating a block of three classrooms and staff room at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos State, last Friday.

    Dr Yemisi-Esan, who condemned the protest by some parents of the school penultimate week, however acknowledged the assistance the Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) render to the schools.

    She said: “We (FME) are not happy with the overbearing influence of the PTA over our schools. Yes, they have their roles, but we don’t want them to take over our schools. The schools still belong to the Federal Government. Anytime they have grievances, they should channel it properly, because we have young minds here that should be trained properly. However, we appreciate the role of the PTA in our colleges. But please, don’t take over our schools.

    “This does not mean the PTA should not partner with the school. The need for PTAs is felt in all schools worldwide. But parents carrying placards is not good. We frown at that. Protesting without first approaching the principal with their complaints is bad. If you have a grudge, go to the PTA chair, if you are not satisfied, go to the school authority and if you are still not satisfied, write to the ministry of education.”

    She expressed government’s desire to raise all its 104 unity schools to global standards, but for financial constraints, while encouraging the staff to administer their duties to the best of their ability.  To this end, she urged the school to develop its internal revenue sources.

    “Left to the government, we want all our 104 unity colleges to be the best, but we have constraints, including dwindling government revenue. The onus is on us to make the best of the situation we are in. We need to become very innovative; lean on people that are highly placed in the society to come to our aid and try to survive with the little government is providing.

    “There are ample opportunities to make IGR in FSTC, Yaba, but make sure that whatever revenue is generated, keep good records, because you will be called to give account,” she said.

    Acknowledging the PTA’s assistance in employing part-time teachers, Dr Yemisi-Esan noted that the teachers would be absorbed in the ongoing government’s recruitment of 500, 000 teachers if they are qualified.

    She urged old students to partner with the unity schools for better resolution of their constraints.

    Dr Yemisi-Esan, who also toured ongoing projects in the college, praised the Principal, Rev Chris Ugorji for his efforts in the school.

    Earlier, in his welcome address, Rev Ugorji, who appreciated the PTA’s efforts at the institution, promised to continue to strive to ensure that the directives of the FME are effectively carried out, as far as school development is concerned.

    Meanwhile, the teachers also advocated for payment of their promotion arrears and pushed for more comfortable and affordable accommodation.

     

  • ASCSN opposes ceding of Unity Schools to states

    Public servants, under the auspices of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have expressed concerns over the subtle campaigns by hired analysts urging the present administration to transfer the 104 Federal Unity Colleges to state governments.

    Advising President Muhammadu Buhari to reject such a policy, the National President of the association, Mr Bobboi Kaigama and Secretary-General, Mr Alade Bashir, said those making such moves were not interested in the desires of ordinary Nigerians who voted the administration into office

    The ASCSN stated: “The Union is worried that when we have a new government in place, some Nigerians under the guise of discussing the issue of devolution of power in the country are clamouring for the transfer of Unity Colleges to State Governments.

    “The question to ask is what devolution of power has got to do with ownership of Unity Colleges when education is on the concurrent list of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What manner of a country do we want to run when we engage in the habit of approbating and reprobating on sensitive national issues?”

    Kaigama said moving forward and backward would not help anybody. “Let us take all our institutions as given and service them on a regular basis for the benefit of mankind. You build toll gate today, demolish them tomorrow only for you to come back later and start toying with the idea of rebuilding them,” he stated.

    Insisting that there is the need to get serious for once and move the country forward, he noted that the idea of selling the national assets and heritage is only being driven by selfish motive and interest, and that it is not the way to go.

    ASCSN recalled that in 2005 when the then Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, acting on official directive, mooted the idea, millions of Nigerians overwhelmingly opposed the move while the union carried out seven-week strike throughout the Federation to forestall the plan.

    “Besides, how can anyone in his or her right senses be advising the Federal Government to hand over the 104 Federal Unity Colleges to state governments that cannot pay salaries to their workers and whose primary and secondary schools are in shamble,” the union queried.