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Tag: Students

  • Kogi Poly bursts exam fraud syndicate, arrests 12 students at ”magic centre”

    Kogi Poly bursts exam fraud syndicate, arrests 12 students at ”magic centre”

    Dr Salisu Usman Ogbo, Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja on Monday said the institution had discovered an examination fraud syndicate and certificate racketeers operating within and outside the Lokoja campus.

    The Rector, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday in Lokoja, also paraded 12 suspects arrested by the security department of the institution over alleged culpability in the fraud.

    He said that following intelligence report about existence of examination “Magic Centres” both within the campus and in some parts of Lokoja, the management launched investigation into it.

    “We immediately set investigative machineries in motion to ascertain the authenticity of the report. Lo and behold, the centre being controlled by a syndicate of some disgruntled elements in our system was discovered right in the heart of Lokoja.”

    The Rector, who projected some pictures of students writing in an obscure place, said: “these are our students at one of the ‘Magic Centres’ writing their examination while examination for the course(s) in question was going on in the approved halls on the campus.

    “We were able to unravel this academic decadence with evidence on Thursday, 5th November, 2020.

    “Our team of securitymen was able to burst one of the centres called ‘Champion Lodge’ at ‘Sarkin Norma’ after the Primary School.

    “Even as the suspects escaped before the arrival of the security team, a total of 32 answer scripts on different courses, with students’ particulars written on each, were retrieved from ‘Carlifonia Lodge’ at the same ‘Sarkin Norma’ where the scripts were kept for onward transmission to their principal(s).

    “Today, Monday, 9th November, 2020 we were also able to arrest additional 12 participants of the said ‘Magic centre’ who variously confessed to their involvement,” he added.

    Ogbo said that the security team had also arrested one Victor Attah, the owner of the room that was used as the “Magic Centre”, alongside one Daniel Ikoja (AKA Progress), the owner of the room where scripts were kept for onward transmission.

    He said that a related issue was the forging of results by students.

    “So far, we have been able to establish one case involving an external result used to secure admission into the Polytechnic.

    “In all, we have expanded our dragnet with the view to tracing all those directly or indirectly involved in the fraud, and we will ensure that they are all brought to book.

    “After our investigation, we will ensure that all the collaborators are brought to book in accordance with our laws,” he said.

    The Rector warned that management would not tolerate any act capable of tarnishing the credibility of the institution, its results and certificates.

  • [Video]: Tension in Kings College; students scamper for safety as hoodlums invade school

    [Video]: Tension in Kings College; students scamper for safety as hoodlums invade school

    There was tension at Kings College, Lagos on Wednesday as hoodlums invaded the school premises.

    In a video making the round onsocial media, students where seen scampering for safety after the invasion.

    A voice of a lady was also heard in the video calling for help while stressing that the hoodlums are setting properties in the area on fire.

    Watch video:

  • ASUU rejects resumption order after 17 Kaduna varsity students contract COVID-19

    ASUU rejects resumption order after 17 Kaduna varsity students contract COVID-19

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, has kicked against the university management’s plan to reopen the school after many months of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

    The state chapter of the ASUU said it is not yet safe to reopen the institution because of the fear that students might contract the virus as they will mingle freely among themselves during school hours.

    Addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday, the chairman of ASUU-KASU, Comrade Tukur Abdulkadir, noted that some weeks ago, 17 out of about 50 medical students who were recalled for examination tested positive to COVID-19.

    He said: “As you are aware the management of the Kaduna State University has opened the university and plans to conduct examination beginning from Monday, October 19. To this moment, Kaduna State Government has not officially announced the re-opening of tertiary institutions. Although the 2019/2020 academic session has been significantly affected by Covid-19 lockdown, re-opening the university at this material time is tantamount to trading the lives of students and staff for the conduct of the examination.

    “The decision by the management of KASU to re-open is in gross violation of the Covid-19 Protocol as highlighted by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This action also violates the standard provision and regulations guiding conduct of university examinations.

    “Let this be known to the general public, almost all the guidelines as stipulated by PTF/NCDC are not in existence in Kaduna State University at the moment. Students congregate very closely without facemasks, and hostels are overcrowded. It is on record that some weeks ago, 17 out of about 50 medical students who were recalled for examination tested positive to Covid-19.

    “As you may be aware that the university has been closed for more than 7 months, the Kaduna State University Management plans to re-open on October 18, and commence examination by October 19. Students have not been given time for revision (at least 2 weeks as required).

    “This will have severe consequences on students’ performance, and therefore undermine the examination. Amongst the infractions associated with planned examinations include: Inability to subject examination questions for external moderation before examination by some departments. This is an important requirement for examination in universities in Nigeria as stipulated by NUC.

    “It should be noted that examination is the most important component of any university and strictly an academic affair. The absence of academic staff in the conduct of the examination might tamper with the quality and integrity of the examinations.

    “Some newly established departments have covered only a fraction of their syllabus, yet examination will hold in these departments.

    “It is clear that the re-opening of Kaduna State University by the university management potent danger and health risk to citizens of Kaduna State. The second wave of Covid-19 has manifested in some countries, with more casualties being reported.

    “Kaduna State University is a non-residential university where students come for study and return back home after classes. This therefore stresses the danger for wide spread of the virus”.

  • U.S. cancels visas of over 1,000 Chinese students, researchers

    U.S. cancels visas of over 1,000 Chinese students, researchers

    The United States government has revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese nationals under a presidential measure denying entry to students and researchers deemed security risks.

    According to the State Department, on Wednesday, China called the move a violation of human rights.

    Chad Wolf, the acting head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said earlier that Washington was blocking visas “for certain Chinese graduate students and researchers with ties to China’s military fusion strategy to prevent them from stealing and otherwise appropriating sensitive research.”

    In a speech, Wolf repeated U.S. charges of unjust business practices and industrial espionage by China, including attempts to steal coronavirus research, and accused it of abusing student visas to exploit American academia.

    Wolf said the U.S. was also “preventing goods produced from slave labour from entering our markets, demanding that China respect the inherent dignity of each human being,” an apparent reference to accusations of abuse of Muslims in western Xinjiang.

    A State Department spokeswoman said the visa action followed a May 29 proclamation by President Donald Trump as part of the U.S. response to China’s curbs on democracy in Hong Kong.

    “As of Sept. 8, 2020, the department has revoked more than 1,000 visas of PRC nationals who were found to be subject to Presidential Proclamation 10043 and therefore ineligible for a visa,” she said.

    She said the ineligible “high-risk graduate students and research scholars” were “a small subset” of the Chinese coming to the U.S. for study and research, and that legitimate students and scholars would continue to be welcomed.

    About 360,000 Chinese nationals studying in the U.S., bringing its college’s significant revenue, though the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the return to campus this autumn semester.

    In Beijing on Thursday, a foreign ministry spokesman described the U.S. move as “naked” political persecution and racial discrimination that seriously violated human rights.

    “China reserves the right to make a further response on this issue,” Zhao Lijian told a daily media briefing.

    China-U.S. relations have sunk to historic lows with the world’s two biggest economies clashing over issues ranging from trade and human rights to Hong Kong and the coronavirus.

  • All primary, secondary students get automatic promotions in Ogun as govt announces resumption dates

    All primary, secondary students get automatic promotions in Ogun as govt announces resumption dates

    All students except those in tertiary institutions have been given an automatic promotion to the next class by the Ogun State Government which announced September 21 for the reopening of schools in the state for the first term of 2020/2021 session.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin, made the announcement in a statement on Monday.

    This is in addition to the earlier resumption of students in exit classes.

    According to Mr Somorin, the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, approved the reopening of schools for all classes in primary and secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Colleges, and Tertiary Institutions.

    He noted that a resumption schedule for public schools has been developed as part of efforts to meet the COVID-19 guidelines.

    Students in primary one to three will attend classes from 8.00 am to 11.00 am, while pupils in primary four to six will learn from 12 noon to 3:00 pm.

    In secondary schools, students in JSS 1 to JSS 3 are to attend classes from 8.00 am to 11.00 am and students in senior classes will be in school from mid-day through to 3:00 pm.

    However, the CPS noted that technical and vocational colleges will operate their normal school hours of 8.00 am to 2.00 pm, while tertiary institutions are “allowed to commence reopening from 21 September 2020 as may be determined by their respective management.”

    The Governor’s spokesman added that private schools are expected to take necessary measures to meet the COVID-19 protocols for physical distancing, among other requirements.

    He stated that students between the ages of 3 to 5 will not be resuming in public schools until the next phase of schools’ reopening.

    “It should be noted that the government had earlier announced that all students had been given an automatic promotion to the next class, including automatic placement for primary 6 students in public primary schools into JSS1 of public secondary schools.

    “However, primary 6 students desirous of placement into the State-owned Boarding Schools will sit for the Common Entrance Examination on Saturday, 12 September 2020,” the statement read in part.

    “The hitherto JSS3 students who have now been promoted to SS1 will write their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in October 2020.”

    Mr Somorin noted that part of the COVID-19 guidelines issued for reopening of schools is still in effect because the management of the virus has been deliberate in ensuring safety for children while minimising the disruption in the school learning calendar.

    Read the full statement below:

    The Ogun State Government has announced Monday, 21 September 2020 for the reopening of schools in the state for the first term of 2020/2021 session in addition to the earlier resumption of students in SS3 who are currently writing the West African School Certificate Examination.

    In a Press Statement issued in Abeokuta by Kunle Somorin, his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced that this second phase of the reopening of schools is extended to all classes in primary and secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Colleges, and Tertiary Institutions. However, as part of the efforts to meet the COVID-19 guidelines for school operations, the school hours are staggered as follows for public schools.

    • Primary 1 to primary ​​​​8.00am to 11.00am
    • Primary 4 to Primary 6​​​​12.00noon to 3.00pm
    • JSS 1 to JSS3​​​​​8.00am to 11.00am
    • SS1 to SS3​​​​​12.00noon to 3.00pm
    • Technical and Vocational will operate their normal school hours from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm

    Early Child Care Development and Education classes i.e 3-5 years of age will not be resuming in public schools until the next phase of schools’ reopening.

    • Private schools are also expected to take necessary measures to meet the COVID-19 protocols for physical distancing, among other requirements.
    • Tertiary institutions are allowed to commence reopening from 21 September 2020 as may be determined by their respective Management.

    It should be noted that the government had earlier announced that all students had been given an automatic promotion to the next class, including automatic placement for primary 6 students in public primary schools into JSS1 of public secondary schools.

    However, primary 6 students desirous of placement into the State-owned Boarding Schools will sit for the Common Entrance Examination on Saturday, 12 September 2020.

    The hitherto JSS3 students who have now been promoted to SS1 will write their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in October 2020.

    The Statement emphasised that the COVID-19 guidelines earlier issued for reopening of schools are still in effect and include:

    • Provision of Sick bays / Isolation rooms in schools.
    • Training and designation of some teachers as first-line responders
    • Use of face masks
    • A regular check of body temperature with infrared thermometers
    • Provision of adequate hand washing facilities and alcohol-based sanitisers for students and teachers;
    • Maintaining physical distancing of 2 meters
    • Decontamination of schools prior to resumption;
    • Suspension of the general assembly.

    “Our approach to COVID-19 pandemic management has been deliberate, methodical, focused, inclusive and carefully balanced between life and livelihood and this has manifested in the steps we have adopted to the reopening of schools, ensuring the safety of our children whilst minimising disruption in their education. The guidelines are applicable to all schools in the state whether private or public.

    I have directed the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to provide all public schools with the required items to meet the guidelines and private school owners are enjoined to do the same.

    I charge our students to take full benefits of the reopening of the schools for their educational advancement and wish them a very fulfilling 2020/2021 academic year”, the Governor said.

    e-signed

    Kunle Somorin

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

  • Gunmen kill one, abduct JSS 3 students in Kaduna

    Gunmen kill one, abduct JSS 3 students in Kaduna

    Gunmen have reportedly invaded a school in Kunai Ward in Damba Kasaya of Chikun Local government area of Kaduna State, killing one person and abducting dozens of JSS3 students.

    A villager Bawa Wakili disclosed that the hoodlums stormed the village and started shooting sporadically; and eventually kidnapped some villagers.

    He said they went to Prince Academy school, Damba – Kasaya at about 7:45 am while the students were trying to sit for the JSS exams.

    The marauders abducted dozens of students who have gathered to write the Junior School Certificate Examination (JSCE).

    He also said a Church Aminchi Baptist Church Damba-Kasaya was set ablaze by the gunmen.

    Recall that the Federal government had only recently reopened schools across the country to enable graduating students in secondary schools to sit for their final exams.

    It was gathered the students of JSS3 in Kaduna have been writing their exams in the last week.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Muhammad Jalige said the police are yet to be briefed. He, however, promised to get back as soon as the police are briefed.

  • 10 students writing WASSCE test positive for COVID-19

    10 students writing WASSCE test positive for COVID-19

    Ten students writing the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examination have tested positive for coronavirus in Gombe.

    According to reports, a male student in Government Science Secondary School Gombe had earlier tested positive for the virus and was sent to the Isolation Centre on Monday to write the exam.

    Chairman of Gombe Task Force on COVID-19, Professor Idris Mohammed, disclosed this to reporters.

    He said all the affected students are writing their examinations at the Isolation centre in the State Specialist Hospital.

    He said nine girls from Government Girls Secondary School Doma tested positive with another one from Kumo.

    He said the index case of a returning student from Kaduna recorded on Monday has tested negative and discharged to resume taking his examination from the school.

    According to him: “All the COVID-19 positive students are writing their examinations under the strict supervision of all the relevant authorities, including WAEC Supervisors, the state ministry of education and the state Covid-19 Taskforce.”

    He said Gombe has recorded 607 cases with 594 recoveries and 23 deaths.

    Commissioner for Education, Dr. Abu Dahiru, said the State Government is concentrating on strict COVID-19 tests for returning Unity school students because they are drawn from the 19 northern states.

    “Some of these students are coming from states like Kano, Abuja and Kaduna which very high number of COVID-19 positive cases, so we have to make sure that they are tested quickly before they start joining the community,” he said.

  • Kogi Poly expels 25 students for examination malprcatice

    Kogi Poly expels 25 students for examination malprcatice

    The Kogi State Polytechnic has expelled 25 students for their involvement in various forms of examination malpractice.

    The institution disclosed this in a statement issued to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mrs Uredo Omale, its Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, on Saturday in Lokoja.

    Omale said the decision was taken at the meeting of the institution’s Governing Board held on Aug. 13.

    According to her, the decision is in line with the recommendation of the Students Examination Malpractice Committee.

    She said that the students were found guilty of various forms of examination misconduct during the second semester examination for the 2018/2019 academic session.

    The Spokesperson said that the board had during the meeting also approved backlog of results across all schools, beginning from the 2016/2017 academic session.

    ” The meeting also considered and approved the establishment of the School of Agricultural Technology at the Itakpe campus of the Polytechnic,” she said.

    She said that the newly-approved school would commence academic activities with National Diploma (ND) programmes in the 2020/2021 Session.

    ” It will offer programmes such as Animal Health and Production Technology, Agriculture and Bio-enviromental Technology, Horticultural Technology and Agricultural Technology,” Omale said.

    She further stated that the board also approved the constitution of three committees to handle pressing academic and disciplinary issues.

    They are: Committees for Result Verification to be chaired by the Deputy Rector, Dr Lamidi Kehinde, the Central Examination Misconduct Committee, with Mr Stephen Rowland of the School of General Studies as Chairman and the Student Disciplinary Committee to be chaired by the Director of Academic Planning, Mrs Ruth Haruna.

  • Ogun makes U-turn, cancels COVID-19 test requirements for returning students

    Ogun makes U-turn, cancels COVID-19 test requirements for returning students

    The Ogun state government has stepped down its stand which held that the COVID-19 test is to be used as a mandatory requirement for returning students in exit classes.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the cancellation of the initial injunction via a Twitter statement on Monday.

    In his communique which was titled “Ogun Makes COVID-19 Test Free For All Returning SS3 Boarding Students”, Governor Abiodun further stated that the admittance of students into boarding houses in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

    Parents of pupils in private secondary schools in Ogun had protested over the request of N25,000 COVID-19 test fee by the government, but the governor has assured that the test will now be carried out free of charge for all returning students.

    The governor ordered the Government Laboratories in the state to carry out tests for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost.

    He also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.

    According to the governor, the new directive has become imperative because the health of children remains an utmost priority to his administration.

    The governor, however, noted that in view of the total number of boarding students to be tested (5,340 private and 500 public), and bearing in mind the limitation of the state’s installed testing capacity of 500 tests per day, it may not be feasible for all boarding students to get tested and get their results prior to the resumption or even exams which commences on 17th August 2020.

    He recommended that students who do not have to stay in boarding houses should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions. Adding that face masks will be availed to all students in both private and public schools.

  • WASSCE: If You Can Hold Elections, Students Can Take Exams – OpenFees Tells FG

    WASSCE: If You Can Hold Elections, Students Can Take Exams – OpenFees Tells FG

    OpenFees, an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation that caters for the basic education of indigent students has said if politicians can hold elections following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, it should also be possible for final year students to take their exams.

     

    The group asked the Federal Government and other stakeholders to “stop the politics and take a stand” on the 2020 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for the sake of students whose future is at stake.

     

    In a statement on Sunday, OpenFees said, “Science, technology and rigorous enforcement of hygiene and social distancing rules are already making it possible for schools elsewhere to reopen gradually and there is no reason why we can’t use that here.”

     

     

    In addition, the statement said, “We are particularly concerned that JSS 3 and SS 3 students in public schools most of who have not had significant learning, because of poor access to online resources would have to wait for another year before taking their final exams.

     

    “If government can invest half the time and resources itwants to use to conduct elections, in spite of COVID-19, to provide safe environment for students, it should be possible for these final year students to take their exams without too much difficulty.”

     

    The statement said even though the Ministry of Education issued a statement on Thursday that Nigeria would consult with the four other West African countries in WAEC and possibly hold the examination in September, “there remains a heavy cloud of uncertainty and doubt over the government’s commitment.”

     

    “We note for example,” the statement continued, “that governors of the 19 northern states in Nigeria have yet to officially change their position that WAEC will not hold this year, while governors of the six South-west states have said they will go ahead and all of this is happening at a time when Federal Ministry of Education is supposed to have issued a COVID-19 compliance testing notice to schools.”

     

    The statement said the overriding interest should be the safety and wellbeing of students and that while delay is inevitable, it is possible to learn from and use the experiences of countries where schools are already reopening.