NSSEC Advocates Adoption of Minimum Standards For Senior Secondary Education

By Victor Essang

UYO

As part of measures to enhance quality education in the country, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission  (NSSEC) has advocated the adoption of minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education.

The Executive Secretary, NSSEC, Dr Iyela Ajayi made the advocacy Wednesday during the Critique workshop on the draft document on the minimum standards for senior secondary education which took place on Uyo.

Ajayi said the national minimum standards when approved and implemented would set bench-marks for all aspects of senior secondary education in the country.

Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, being represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi

"Also, the national minimum standards would play an important and critical role in the repositioning of senior education in Nigeria", he added.

He noted that the document "is aimed at ensuring that there is uniformity in the operation of senior secondary education by all operators, to put Nigeria on the same pedestrian with other nations that are ahead of her"

While calling on the critical stakeholders to put in their best in the exercise of critiquing the document, Ajayi expressed confidence that when released and implemented, the minimum standards would revolutionize senior secondary education in Nigeria.

The Headtable

Ajayi urged the state government to key into the initiative with the establishment of Secondary School Education Board to domesticate the commission act as well as follow guidelines for assessing and utilizing funds from the commission.

He thanked the governor, Pastor Umo Eno for accepting to host the workshop and for his giant strides in the education sector.

Declaring the workshop open, the Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno stressed the need to improve the quality of facility and personnel in education sector for national development.

Represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor who described education as the heart of socio-economic development, observed, "We can't grow beyond the quality of our school system"

"If we sincerely want to fix Nigeria, we must re-visit our school system with a view to establishing certain irreducible minimum standards in the quality of personnel, infrastructures and curriculum".

While describing Senior Secondary School as a critical segment of the education chain, Eno, who said the minimum standards will benefit the state, stressed the need for proper follow up for the implementation of the document.

Participants at the event

He said his administration prioritizes skills-driven education under the ARISE Agenda and expressed readiness to invest much in the sector.

The governor disclosed that his administration was remodeling schools across the state and providing other educational materials to Akwa Ibom children.

He made case for professionalizing  teaching, set minimum standards for school infrastructures and environment update curriculum and define procedure for school licensing.

Eno lauded the Commission for the steps taken to  regulate the senior secondary school sector and for creating a platform for stakeholders to interface and critique the document.

The Director, Quality Assurance, NSSEC Alhaji Ibrahim  Abdulkareem, while welcoming the delegates from the 17 southern zone applauded Akwa Ibom state for the improvement in the education sector.

The  Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, said the governor places education as key priority sector in his blueprint.

Etiebet said, His Excellency is usually enthusiastic and supportive of activities directed to the development of the education sector for the betterment of our children"

She pledged the partnership of the state government to the commission by paying the counterpart funding to ensure quality minimum standards of secondary education in the state.

She called on all stakeholders in the education sector to be diligent in appraising the regulatory framework to enable them arrive at positive outcomes that would guarantee quality assurance in education across the country, emphasizing that it would help children enjoy qualitative and quantitative learning anywhere in Nigeria.

The three days workshop featured, technical session and syndicate group presentation among others.

Ukpom Road Construction to begin soon - Uyo LG Chair Assures

Ukpom Road Construction to begin soon - Uyo LG Chair Assures 

Priscilla Akpanettot

Measures have been put in place by the State Government to construct the Ukpom/Ediene Ikot Obio Imo Road, after it was long neglected.

The Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo gave the hint during an interaction with the foremost Akwa Ibom online community, COOPA, in his office on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

The Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) had met with the Chairman as part of their annual engagements with relevant stakeholders todiscuss matters pertaining to economic development and progression.

According to Dr. Udo, the Ukpom Road, from Pepsi junction (by Idoro Road) has been awarded to a contractor and side drains have been constructed on it, awaiting the end of the rainy season. 

"The contractors are on site. We hope that the rains will give the contractors a chance to continue the work. It is just a matter of time and it will be completed", he assured.

Speaking on the survival of the local economy in the post subsidy removal era, the Chairman remarked that subsidy removal would have taken a gradual process, instead of happening the way it did.

"Perhaps, the government would have fashioned out ways to ameliorate the unexpected suffering of the people before subsidy removal. What we have now is that the high cost of transportation is not even commensurate with wages and other spendings. The suffering is overbearing, because we didn't have certain things on ground to take care of the removal", he said.

On his part, the Chairman informed that his administration has been consciously committed to bettering the lots of the people by putting in place modalities to ease the effect of the harsh economy on them.

"We have graded rural roads around Ikono Ibom and Etoi Clans. We have fixed power in some communities. For instance, if you go to Winners Chapel at Ikot Ebido, we upgraded the transformer at that axis from 300KVA to 500KVA and it is working for that community."

"We have done a lot in the Education Sector. Recently, we paid bursary to 392 students across 13 institutions. We needed to show that we recognise the students' community. We have reactivated the Students' Worldwide body in Uyo and paid Union dues to allow the students go home with their bursary in block. We also give regular assistance to our students."

"We have done medical outreach in collaboration with Vision Africa and the focus was on eye challenges. Medicated glasses and drugs were given free and beneficiaries didn't pay a dime", he said.

When asked of the secret behind his smooth management of the Council vis-a-vis his success, Dr. Udo gave the answer to be effective collaboration between the three arms of his government.

"I run a collaborative administration. That is why I haven't had issues with my Councillors and Supervisors. We get them involved and cross-fertilize ideas. It is not just during budget proposals. Regularly, I sit with my Councillors and it's exciting. It is not a one-man show, so you allow the Councillors have a feel of government too."

"I don't implement policies without consulting with my people. I dialogue with my Exco and Councillors, while they go back, interact with the people and get to know their needs, then we put them down in a document and get things working."

"I don't neglect the Civil Service structure. We also invest in staff welfare. We have a deep relationship with our stakeholders and accord them all the recognition they deserve. So there is a balanced equation", he stated. He noted.

"The local government level is where you learn leadership. I have the integrity that I came into government with. I don't want to hear that I deprived anyone of anything. That is why I make sure that things are sorted out well."

While speaking on the impact of his administration on the people, he reeled out his achievements within and outside the Council, adding that his last days will be focused on completing what needed to be finished, as well as the provision of a functional Law Library for the Council.

"When we got into Council, our first duty was to restore public power supply to the Council. We fixed the power substation in the Council and also acquired a 100KVA generator".

"Today, we have a Primary Health Centre at Uruan Street set up by the Council and it is up and running. 

Much more, the Council boss told the online publishers of his plans to extend the electricity in the Council to the health center next door, to help them arrest their protracted lighting challenge.

He further announced his administration's plan for a tax cut for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Uyo, to help them survive the economic downturn; while informing that a register had been opened for entrepreneurs in the Local Government Area to be documented and supported in due course. 

Highlights of the interaction was an assessment of the lighting project from the Council to the Health Centre.

The 2023 COOPA CHAT series is themed: "NIGERIA IN POST SUBSIDY REMOVAL ERA: GOVERNANCE AND CITIZENS ENGAGEMENT"

#COOPA

#COOPAChat

#COOPANigeria

COOPA Chat Returns with Uyo LG Council Boss

 

The Conference of Online Publishers, Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) is set for another series of discussions with key players and policy makers in the society. 

The COOPA CHAT series commences on Tuesday, September 12 with the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Dr Uwemedimo Udo as the guest. 

The council boss of the state’s capital will disect issues relating to the topic;"NIGERIA IN POST SUBSIDY REMOVAL ERA: GOVERNANCE & CITIZENS ENGAGEMENT" as he briefs new media publishers on achievements during his tenure.

Join the chat online from 10 am on the COOPA Facebook page. Click link to like page and get notifications

 https://www.facebook.com/COOPANigeria?mibextid=ZbWKwL

#COOPA

#COOPAChat

#COOPANigeria

NUJ Announces 2023 Press Week Award Entries

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council has made known award entries for the 2023 Press Week coming up in December.

The entries include: Aviation Reporter of the Year, Feature Writer of the Year, Columnist of the Year, Sports Writer of the Year, Legislative Reporter of the Year, Judiciary Reporter of the Year, Broadcast Reporter of the Year (Television and Radio), Education Reporter of the Year, Agriculture Reporter of the Year, Environment Reporter of the Year as well as Information Officer of the Year.

Special Awards include: Umo Eno Award for Development Journalist, Ray Ekpu Award for Best Investigative Reporter (Sponsored by Inoyo Toro Foundation); U&K Awards for Female Journalists, Nelson Etukudo Awards for Print Journalist of the Year and Ibanga Isine Award for Impactful Journalism.

Meanwhile, media organizations will be awarded under: Newspaper of the Year and Broadcast Station of the Year (Television and Radio).

According to the Chairman, Planning Committee of the 2023 Press Week, Comrade Helen John, the entries are to be submitted between 1st - 30th September, 2023 at the Press Centre, Off IBB Avenue in Uyo.

The entries must be works published between 1st December, 2022 and 31st August, 2023.  

The Press Week is an annual event where Journalists sit back to  celebrate, reminisce and relax from the hassles of their job. 

The recognition and award of outstanding Journalists is a tradition of this event and is often attended by key stakeholders in the society. 

The theme for this year's Press Week is "Development Journalism: Setting the Agenda on Climate Change".

Teachers who don't stay in their stations risk losing their jobs - SUBEB

Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, flanked by members of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)

 …Disciplinary Team to ensure compliance upon School resumption

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has warned Primary School teachers in the State to stay and live in their stations or risk losing their jobs.

The Chairman and members of the board gave the warning on Monday, September 4, 2023, during an interaction with Head Teachers of Primary Schools in Eket Senatorial District.

Chairman of the Board, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk (Ph.D) explained that the Board settled for this disciplinary measure following observations that many of the teachers resume for work very late, due to the distance from their places of residence to the School they teach.

Members of the Head Table

This he said, was the reason many Pupils loiter and play around their School’s premises for the most part of the productive hours of the day; and that Schools without the presence of a resident teacher are prone to being vandalized or used for the practice of vices.    

“One of the regular challenge we have is that Government will provide infrastructure and the Community will vandalize them or struggle for the land. Although we are making provision for security in our schools, your presence in that Community will curtail some of these things”. 

“This is not to say that Communities should not take responsibility for their Schools. All Communities which have Schools should begin to take charge and protect whatever is sent to their Schools; forward cases of vandalism to the Board”, he charged. 

A section of the Head Teachers

Frowning at the activities of some Head Teachers, the Board Chairman exposed that they were in the habit of permitting absenteeism and lateness to work; giving excuses for other teachers, engaging in mindless chats during school hours while making the Pupils labour in their farms; leaving School before the close of work and so on.

“Some of you are the problems in the system. You do not report erring teachers but cover them up and allow these kids to suffer neglect and abandonment. Yet, you get your full pay and allowances when due”. 

“All of these will be over as the new academic session resumes because we have set-up a disciplinary team involving the Local Government Commission, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and other relevant stakeholders to reinforce monitoring and sanction.

Another section of the Head Teachers

If a team comes to your School and meets your absence or you don’t report your teachers, you will be queried and subsequently dismissed from work”.

“We came to tell you that distant teaching will no longer be tolerated, stay in your station. Pay a house and stay in that community. Stay within the time-frame of School hours. Live to your responsibilities as teachers; stop laboring the children, they are not farmers.  Complement Government’s efforts to revamp the system”, he appealed with passion.

Meanwhile, Dr. Etuk applauded some of the Head teachers who were doing their best to uphold the standard of education in the State. He described them as relevant stakeholders in state-building and related Governor Umo Eno’s commendation to them.

“The Governor recognizes teachers as serious stakeholders and drivers of his plans so, one can joke with you”, he said.

Recalling that the Governor had declared a State-of-emergency on basic education as soon as he came on board, the Chairman explained that this meant a total overhaul of the Primary School system where infrastructure and a suitable learning atmosphere will be provided for Pupils, while teachers will be provided with a comfortable quarters.

At the meeting, held at Government Primary School, Usung Inyang in Eket Local Government Area, a Head Teacher in the district (name withheld) was called out for being the worst in the area and recommended for dismissal. 

The meeting had in attendance, members of the Board who took turns to corroborate the Chairman’s remarks and spelt-out stiff sanctions for defaulters; Education Secretaries in each of the Local Government comprising Eket Senatorial District as well as representative of AUPCTRE in the area.  

The meeting which was the last lap of interaction with teachers in the State before the resumption of the2023/2024 academic session was previously held in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts.

Press Release

NOTICE OF CONDUCT OF COOPA 2023 ELECTION

Sequel to the approval and directive of the Executive Committee of COOPA for the conduct of its 2023 Election which was issued on Saturday, August 26, 2023, the Electoral Committee hereby wishes to notify members of COOPA and the general public of its schedule/timetable as follows:

Election Time Table

Activity 1: Purchase of Forms

Date: Monday 4th - Friday 8th of September, 2023

Time: 10:am to 4:00pm 

Activity 2: Submission of forms/Screening of candidates

Date: Monday, September 11, 2023

Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm 

 

Activity 3: Consultations/Campaign

Date: Wednesday 13th - Monday 25th, September, 2023

Activity 4: Declaration of Interest/Manifesto Presentation

Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Activity 5: Election

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023

Time: 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Signed:

Priscilla Akpanettot 

Secretary, Electoral Committee 

04.09.2023 

Ikot Oku Ikono Flyover: Afia Nsit Community Bleeds

Priscilla Akpanettot

All is not well with Afia Nsit, a quiet settlement in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area where the drainage collecting flood water from Ikot Oku Ikono Flyover is situated. The community which has become a victim of the Flyover project has counted more than a thousand losses ranging from lives to properties since the construction of the drainage.

Anyone passing or driving through the recently constructed Flyover of the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration will simply appreciate the aesthetics of its construction and applaud the initiative to ease vehicular traffic around the area, without knowing what turbulent troubles the host communities are going through.

Endpoint of the drainage

From the East of the Flyover to the West, North and South; sad tales abound of how the much-talked-about Flyover has become a nightmare to the host communities, particularly Afia Nsit which houses the drainage conveying the flood water gathered by the Flyover.

The drainage which is a mega wide opening on the right side of the untarred access road leading to the community from the Flyover is not only wide but deep and stretches into the depth of the village. Moreso, it is open and unguarded, without any form of illumination to forestall accidents at night.

A sight of the flood effect

When it rains, the flood waters from Abak, Idoro, Etinan and Ikot Oku Ikono road which all gather under the Flyover, are poured into the drainage, to meet the flood water from Arc. Nyaetok’s Novone Estate, Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium and its environs before invading the community. So heavy is the force and volume of the water that it overfills the drainage within minutes and pours out on the community, making the untarred muddy road slippery and impassable.  At the point of being filled, the uncovered drainage becomes invisible and a threat to members of the community who must cross the flood-covered drainage to get to and out of their homes.

Consequently, a number of valuables including two people have been drowned in the killer water. The situation is even more terrible for Pupils of St. Stephen African Church School, a government-managed School with its entrance at the wide-mouthed drainage.

Also, the surrounding farmlands have been in ruins since the Flyover was constructed as all the residues of the flood including plastics, rubber, carcasses of animals and all sort of wastes are emptied on the entire land mass of the community, making it a permanent dump site.

As a result, the stench of the decomposing wastes have made life in the hitherto ecofriendly community unbearable, coupled with its accompanying health hazards of being a breeding ground for well-fed mosquitoes.   

A decomposing body was found here a year ago

Upon enquiry, the Village Head of Afia Nsit, Obong E. E. Akpan bitterly lamented the ugly significance of the Flyover and its attendant effect on members of the community. His responses to questions asked further blew the mind of this reporter.

“If it rains now, you can’t enter this place. Nobody comes around here when it rains to avoid being carried away and it will take up to four days for the waters to recede”.

The dead River which once served the domestic needs of the community

“The only edible water (river) we used to have has been filled up by the sand accompanying the flood so we neither have water to drink nor road to our houses. We buy water from the only borehole around and enter our homes from Mbak Nsit, the next community”.

“This was where they were meant to stop this drainage (pointing towards Usak River). The drainage was meant to be a 2.5 Kilometer construction, leading to Usak River which will take the flood water to Mbiokporo River but they stopped at 1.7 Kilometer because they saw this swamp (Ekaiso).

The other part of the community geographically divided by the flood is now accessed by this 'bridge'

“This is not a normal swamp because we used to drink from it and use it for other domestic purposes. It was very neat and clean. We asked them to channel the water here so that the flood can move straight to Mbiokporo River but they saw this swamp and the river down there (Idim Mbed) and decided to channel the flood there.

“This whole place has become ravineous and our community has been geographically divided by the flood”, he said.

Julius Berger's marking, indicating the end point of the drainage

Their numbers were written on this tree's trunk

When contacted to confirm the Village Head’s report, the constructing firm, Julius Berger became very hostile and aggressive, and demanded an official letter before obliging any information. They however referred this Reporter to the Ministry of Works.

At the Ministry of Works, the Supervising Engineer refused to respond to questions on the construction without the permission of his Boss, the Commissioner. A staff of the Ministry however insisted that “the length of the flood control project is 2.2km with an access road” and had been duly constructed and delivered to the community.  

The Primary School facing the drainage

After submitting the letter to Julius Berger, the construction firm is yet to respond, despite four visits to their office at Itam Industrial Layout.

The Community wants the drainage area properly channeled to the agreed point; covered and lighted at night to avoid accidents. They also have a need for water and protection from the hazards of the stagnated flood water. They are therefore calling on the government to act responsively to their plights in time to avert further damages to lives and properties.

See videos of interviews with members of the community on:

 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02yJpAG3tafoG9af2EWeuRsdMPrRLc5VzaMKuEeVPrsFkYBjMDMJvvKCXguUCvJ1bsl&id=100008020651077&mibextid=9R9pXO