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Tag: Schools

  • Kwara govt reopens Ilorin schools after closure

    Kwara govt reopens Ilorin schools after closure

    The Kwara State Government has announced the immediate reopening of Government High School and Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Adeta, in Ilorin West Local Government Area.

    Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, on Saturday said this follows a crucial meeting held with stakeholders.

    He explained that the meeting involved community leaders and other stakeholders committed to restoring academic activities in the affected schools.

    NAN recalls that both schools were shut on May 14 due to student clashes, disrupted learning, and property damage.

    Olohungbebe stated that students from both schools are to resume classes on Monday, May 20.

    He urged parents to caution their children and wards against engaging in antisocial behaviour when schools reopen.

    The commissioner stressed the need for community support in promoting discipline and reform within the education sector.

    He assured that adequate security arrangements would be made to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.

    He warned that any student breaching school rules would face expulsion as part of disciplinary enforcement.

  • WAEC Withdraws accreditation of 574 Schools over exam malpractice

    WAEC Withdraws accreditation of 574 Schools over exam malpractice

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has withdrawn the accreditation of 574 schools due to their involvement in examination malpractice.

    Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at WAEC’s national headquarters in Lagos, the Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, confirmed that the list of affected schools has already been forwarded to the federal government.

    “This year, we have withdrawn recognition from 574 schools. This approach will also be adopted by other examination bodies,” Dr. Dangut stated.
    He added that these schools are no longer authorised to serve as WAEC examination centres and will be excluded from future exam activities.

    Looking ahead to the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), scheduled to run from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, June 20, Dr. Dangut announced that 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools have registered. Of these, 979,228 are male and 994,025 are female—an increase of 158,627 candidates compared to the previous year.

    Dr. Dangut also emphasized WAEC’s continued push towards innovation, noting the introduction of the first-ever Computer-Based WASSCE (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates.
    He revealed that to maintain academic integrity, each student will receive a unique set of questions, reducing the risk of cheating.

  • Kano gov, Yusuf bans student labour in schools

    Kano gov, Yusuf bans student labour in schools

    Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Sunday issued a stern warning to teachers, prohibiting them from involving students in hard labour, both on and off school grounds.

    This is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa.

    The governor emphasised that schools are for education and moral guidance, not for manual labour.

    During an unscheduled visit to the School for Arabic Studies in Kano, the governor had found students digging a toilet pipeline.

    Visibly displeased, the governor questioned the headmaster about assigning such tasks to students.

    The headmaster explained that the work was assigned after school hours. However, Yusuf ordered the practice to cease immediately.

    The governor assured the school management that his administration would renovate all dilapidated buildings, including the attached mosque.

    He also instructed that any school projects be submitted to the Ministry of Education or his office for execution.

    Yusuf, however, inspected ongoing reconstruction projects at Kano Printing Press, damaged during the End-Bad-Governance protests.

    He directed the contractor to adhere strictly to the contract, expressing concerns that some structures did not meet government standards.

  • INSECURITY! 20 schools, 13 health centres shut down over terrorists attacks

    INSECURITY! 20 schools, 13 health centres shut down over terrorists attacks

    Mr Justine Shaku, the Chairman, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue, has said the continuous activities of criminal elements within the council left many schools, markets, and primary health clinics closed for more than one year.

    Shaku told Newsmen on Tuesday said that all social infrastructures within the council were also damaged.

    He explained that “over 20 schools, 23 markets, and 13 primary health clinics remain shut, following the continuous activities of criminal elements in the local government.

    “A total of eight council wards are badly affected too.

    “Insecurity in the area has been challenging. Agriculture, which is the major source of our livelihood, is greatly affected because of so many challenges at the moment.”

    He, however, said that his administration would focus on rebuilding, rehabilitating, and resuscitating all the broken economic sectors within the council.

    He said he would focus on health, education, roads, agriculture and security, to boost the council’s economy, “and to ensure that the schools are back to life.”

    Shaku, who said that the council secretariat is an eyesore, added that “it requires total rebuilding.”

    He explained that with the Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local governments, he is set to rebuild the decayed infrastructure within the council and strive to deliver on his campaign promises.

  • As schools resume – By Francis Ewherido

    As schools resume – By Francis Ewherido

    Many schools, especially primary and secondary schools, resumed from their long holiday this week. Tertiary institutions will follow shortly. For parents whose children are in government-owned schools, their yoke is comparatively lighter because the school bills of government-owned institutions are substantially lower than those of privately-owned institutions. Some parents are carrying yokes that are products of personal decisions. The implication is that it is also within their powers to lessen their burdens.

    Some parents choose to send their children to private schools because they feel they are better run; the environment is more conducive for learning and the standard of teaching is better. Some simply send their children to private schools as a status symbol, while some do it because they want the “best” for their children. We shall come back shortly to look at primary education, secondary education and tertiary institutions. But before then the reality is that the current economy situation has worsened the economic status of many parents. Some of them will not be able to pay their children’s fees in the private schools they are attending this session. So, what should they do? Borrow to pay the fees? Who will even lend you money to pay school fees? Even if you manage to get someone to lend you, how do you repay? What happens in second term?

    This is no time to compete with your neighbour or worry about what people will think. Simply take a decision that suits your current financial realities. You need your peace of mind. Make a decision based on what you can sustain on the long run because children’s education is a marathon, not a sprint. If you cannot sustain paying any school fees on the long run, please change your children’s school to what you can sustain. There is no need to raise your blood pressure and risk having a stroke because children’s school fees. Only the living, healthy and capable can continue to pay children’s fees. Commit class suicide, if you must, instead of dying.

    If it is primary school and you cannot afford keeping your children in a private school any longer, look for a suitable government-owned primary school. There are some that are well run and for your information, majority of Nigeria’s future generation are in government-owned primary schools. It is not written anywhere that products from private schools will do better than those who finished from government-owned schools in future. I always emphasise on nature and nurture. “Nature refers to innate biological factors, such as genetics, while nurture refers to external factors such as upbringing, life experiences, and learning.” Both play a role in what these children will ultimately become. Science is not yet conclusive on which plays a greater role. Ultimately God plays a major role in the affairs of men. That is why He is supreme over men.

    An averagely educated parent can go through the books of his/her children in government-owned primary schools and augment whatever they are taught and also help out with school assignments and the curricula. Where I have problems are parents who cannot afford high private schools fees and have no time to do homework and mentor their children. What exactly do you do with your time? If you don’t have money to put your children in private schools, you should have time to tutor and mentor them. Even those whose children are in the best schools do.

    Having said that, states and local governments need to improve on the quality and learning environment in government-owned primary schools. We have classes with leaky roofs, inadequate or absence of chairs and desks, inadequate teachers, unqualified teachers, etc. In Urhobo, we have a saying that ose j’ohwo (a concubine [they are called side chicks these days] is not a wife, but she is also a woman). The children from less privileged homes deserve a reasonable level of good education. They should not be denied. The irony of our case is that many of these people who are neglecting government-owned schools went to government-owned schools. I attended government schools all the way from primary school to the university. Let us remember our days of humble beginnings.

    My knowledge of secondary schools owned by government is limited, but in Lagos I noticed that there has been a continuous upgrade in the state-owned secondary schools’ infrastructure in the past 20 years now. The buildings are being renovated with additional buildings constructed. I also know teachers in government secondary schools who are good. I will gladly have them as my children’s school teachers, but my knowledge of the secondary school system in Lagos is too limited for me to make any general judgement.

    These days, many secondary school students have access to internet. Internet exposes people to a whole body of knowledge. For me any well-guided or focussed student should use the internet to increase his knowledge of the subjects he/she is taking and other areas of study/interests. I keep saying it; students these days are lucky with the availability of internet. Information gathering in our time was tedious and sometimes frustrating. A mischievous student who wanted to monopolise a book, when we were in the university, could take the book from the mass communication shelf and hide it in physics shelf for as long as he wished. Other intending users would get stuck in their research projects or term papers. Internet has flung open the doors of knowledge and such selfishness is no longer possible. Today’s students have better opportunities to excel in whatever school (private or public) they attend.

    Still on universities, I have been following the results of the Nigerian Law School bar exams. If we are to go by the results only, privately-owned universities have no advantage over government owned-universities in academics. Of course, there are some areas where some private universities are strong and the same applies to government-owned universities. Some universities have established a reputation in some courses, but the quality and determination of individual students also count

    The only major advantage private universities have over government-owned universities is stability and certainty in the education calendar. If government puts its act together and eliminates disruption in the university calendar, government-owned universities will have also stability. Then parents without the financial capacity will not be forced to send their children to privately-owned universities. Private universities are for students whose parents have the financial muscles. Currently some parents whose children are in private universities breathe heavily everyday like people who just finished running a marathon in an effort to raise money to pay school fees.

    The fees in Nigerian government-owned universities among among the lowest in the world. The fees of Federal government-owned universities are even lower than those of state-owned universities. If you cannot afford to send your child to a federal university or a university abroad, ensure he studies hard to get into a government-owned university. In addition, students should choose universities near home to reduce transportation fare and/or save money that should have gone into hostel accommodation. If you live in Lagos and Benin, for instance, choose the University of Lagos or the University Benin and spare your parents the additional cost in accommodation on campus.

  • Lagos commences revalidation of schools examination codes

    Lagos commences revalidation of schools examination codes

    The Lagos State Examinations Board has concluded arrangements to hold a one-day sensitisation programme for the revalidation of examination codes of Public and Approved Private Schools in the State.

    According to a statement by Adebayo Orunsolu, Director of the Board, the programme has been scheduled for Thursday, 26th October, 2023, at the Conference Room of the Board at 10.00 a.m.

    Orunsolu stated that the objective of the exercise was to educate and enlighten the invited associations on the need for Public and Approved Private Schools in the State to revalidate their Examination Codes.

    He noted that the exercise would go a long way to eliminate existing multiple codes and facilitate proper documentation of records and also sanitise the information of schools on the database of the Board.

    “Representatives of each of the under-listed associations, particularly the President and the Secretary, are expected to attend the sensitisation programme,” he added.

    The Director listed expected bodies as the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Association of Islamic Model Schools, League of Muslim Proprietors (LEAMPS), Association of Formidable Education Developers (AFED), and the Lagos State Baptist Conference.

    Others are the Lagos Methodist Schools, Christ Redeemers Schools Management, Association of Providers of Education in Nigeria (APEN), Catholic Mission Schools, Lagos Anglican Diocese, Association of International Schools Educators of Nigeria (AISEN), Accredited Private Schools Union (APSU), Education Reformers Association of Nigeria amongst others.

    The Board, therefore, implored the invited Associations to inform schools under their jurisdiction on the development to enable them take part in the exercise, holding from Nov. 1 to Nov. 15.

    “The verification exercise on the revalidation of Schools’ Examination Codes is scheduled to hold for two (2) weeks at the premises of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

    “The Schools to be attended to during the first week are those operating in Agege, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, Amuwo Odofin abd Ikeja Local Government Areas of the State.

    “Others operating in Alimosho, Somolu, Kosofe, Eti OSA, Epe, Surulere, Ojo, Badagry and Oshodi Local Government Areas operating have been scheduled for the second week of the verification exercise,” he explained.

    Orunsolu listed required documents for the confirmation of the existing school examination codes as; Letter of Approval from the Ministry of Education, Subject Recognition Inspection (SRI) Report for BECE only.

    Also, a copy of the old payment receipts, Receipt for payment for School Code, School Code Approval Letter and Payment receipts for the last examination.

    The Board also solicited for the cooperation of all concerned stakeholders in the State to make the exercise a successful one.

  • Schools closed in India amid rising cases of eye flu

    Schools closed in India amid rising cases of eye flu

    Northeastern state of Nagaland have closed schools in the state until August 26, following an increase in the cases of conjunctivitis (eye flu) among school children.

    According to the local government officials on Tuesday, cases of conjunctivitis have been reported in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland, and Mon districts.

    “The deputy commissioners of these districts have decided to temporarily suspend physical classes in order to break one of the cycles of transmission.

    “ Also to prevent the exponential surge of eye flu cases not only among students ,but also among teachers and parents,” an official said.

    The authorities have asked the school administration in these districts to consider implementing online classes to ensure that students can continue their education while maintaining safety.

    Since July 1, over 1,000 cases of eye flu have been reported in the state.

    Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyeball.

    It is caused by allergies or bacterial or viral infections.

    It can be extremely contagious and is spread by contact with eye secretions from someone who is infected.

    Symptoms of the disease include redness, itching and tearing of the eyes.

    It can also lead to discharge or crusting around the eyes.

    The local health department has already issued an advisory asking people to maintain good hygiene, which includes washing hands and avoiding touching eyes with bare or unwashed hands.

  • Enugu Govt. threatens to shut down schools, markets observing one week sit-at-home order

    Enugu Govt. threatens to shut down schools, markets observing one week sit-at-home order

    Enugu State Government has threatened to shut down schools, markets observing one week illegal sit-at-home order by the self-acclaimed factional leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa.

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia on Tuesday in Enugu.

    Ekpa had on June 14 in a letter to all Igbos, declared total lockdown from July 3 to 10 excluding July 6.

    According to Onyia, Enugu State Government is alarmed and dismayed by this development and hereby warns that any school that fails to open and function normally on Tuesday will have its licence revoked immediately.

    He added that the State Government also extended the same warning to market unions and shop owners in the state.

    He said, “The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to reports on social media this Tuesday morning that proprietors of private schools in the state are sending messages to their pupils and students to stay at home.

    “This is on account of the illegal one week sit-at-home order allegedly declared by faceless non-state actors in the state.

    “All markets and shops in the various markets must be open to customers from today or be shut down indefinitely.”

    Onyia said the state government reiterated its ban on any form of illegal sit-at-home in all parts of the state, as it was evil and antithetical to all values they hold dear as a people, such as the Igbo spirit of industry, hardwork, creativity and productivity.

    He urged the general public to go about their normal daily activities as adequate security measures had been put in place to protect lives and property.

    “Government will no longer sit by and watch faceless groups and misguided individuals issue illegal orders, dictating to us how to lead our lives, when to go to work or market and when our children go to school.

    “This is no longer acceptable and must be confronted and defeated with every power and resources at our disposal,” Onyia said.

    He further stated that the state government also warned that it would deploy the full instrumentality of the law such as the Cybercrime Act 2015 to go after and prosecute anybody, individuals, groups, and organisations intentionally encouraging the illegal sit-at-home order.

    This, he said, include those instilling fear on residents, raising false alarm to disturb public peace and others through fake news sharing and propagation of falsehood connected with the illegal sit-at-home order on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter.

    “This, however, is by no means, depriving citizens freedom of speech and information as enshrined in the constitution,” Onyia explained.

  • Lagos confirms date for mid-term break for schools

    Lagos confirms date for mid-term break for schools

    The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) has enjoined schools in Lagos State to observe the mid-term break for the 2022/2023 second-term academic session from Feb. 24th to March 3.

    This is made known in a statement by Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, Director General, OEQA, on Tuesday in Lagos.

    The statement noted that the directive was contained in the harmonised academic calendar for 2022/2023 amended as approved by Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Education.

    “We, the OEQA, Ministry of Education wish to remind stakeholders that the mid-term break will commence on Friday, Feb.24, and the directive is applicable to public and private schools across Lagos State.

    “This compliance is mandatory for all schools below tertiary level in the state, while emergency preparedness and safety precautions should be in place,” it added.

    The statement, however, urged schools and parents to follow the Lagos State Government social media handles as well as the OEQA website on www.oeqalagos.com for latest development.

  • APC not exempted from ban on use of Ebonyi schools for campaigns – Commissioner

    APC not exempted from ban on use of Ebonyi schools for campaigns – Commissioner

    Ebonyi says the Oct. 31 order by Gov. David Umahi banning political rallies from holding in public schools in the state, does not preclude the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    The ban took effect on Nov.1

    The order elicited diverse reactions from the public with some political stakeholders wondering if the APC would be affected by its provisions.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Uchenna Orji dismissed such apprehensions on Saturday at Abakaliki when he spoke with newsmen.

    He said all political parties were bound by the provisions of the order designed to protect pupils, students and staff that use the schools.

    “The apprehensions should be allayed because even in civilised societies, there are conditions attached to political parties holding rallies in public facilities.

    “We should correct the earlier insinuations that the order banned political parties from ever holding rallies in these facilities.

    “All political parties, including the ruling APC must secure approval from relevant authorities to use the schools and other public facilities,’’ he said.

    The commissioner noted that securing the lives and property of the people was paramount to the government and that should override all personal interests.

    “Holding political rallies in schools ordinarily puts the security of pupils and students at risk because they are vulnerable.

    “Since parents are not with the pupils and students while in school, anything can happen.

    “We have security reports that gunmen may attack schools during campaigns, so the order was a proactive step to forestall such incidents,’’ he said.

    Orji reiterated that the N5 million required of political parties to campaign in schools premises was refundable as the overall interest was to protect the people.

    “People also pay to use the stadium for various activities, so the provisions of the order are not new.

    “The media should assist government in propagating the ideals of the order as insecurity is a menace affecting everyone,’’ the commissioner stressed.