Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, of Rivers State built several Health centres and several model schools.
Apart from his quest to see a healthy citizenry, in consonance with the saying a healthy mind in a healthy body, he also desired to see educated and articulate Rivers men and women that would engender a prosperous future for the state. A worthy legacy, you will agree, be you opponent or supporter.
However, his dreams of a well-informed and educated citizenry, would be a mirage, if the situation on the ground is anything to go by.
Beautiful or magnificent buildings alone do not translate to the full meaning of school, a place of conducive learning where there are teachers willing and able to impart their knowledge to pupils and students.
Investigation carried out by The Newswriter who went round the secondary schools in the 23 local government areas of the state, showed that governor Amaechi’s reform policy in education is in danger, as many of the secondary schools in the state have no permanent teachers, especially English and Mathematics teachers, two very important subjects.
Investigation also revealed that not more than four permanent teachers are found in each of the secondary schools in the LGAs, thereby leaving the lot to youth’s corps members and contract teachers to take care as teachers.
These in turn, engender lack of commitment resulting into mass failures and sub-standard education among the students. The issue of lack of English teachers in the secondary schools contributes to why students find, it difficult to speak simple correct English and increase corruption and examination malpractices as they do not have the required dose of teaching to even defend their certificates.
As a matter of fact, lack of qualified teachers does not only cause the highlighted problems in the educational system, but has also caused the principals of the schools to go against approved policies, at the expense of the students, the parents in particular, coupled with lack of imprest for the principals of secondary schools.
The governor has allegedly withdrawn payment of imprest to some principals of schools in Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ogu/Bolo, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Oyigbo, Omuma, Onelga, Ahoada East, and Ahoada West, Bonny, Okrika, Degema, Asalga, Akuku Toru, Phalga, Ikwerre, Abua/Odual and Emohua LGAs.
The principals who spoke to The Newswriter said for over three years; the governor has not given imprest to the schools. They said they could not sell their properties to run government schools, offsetting administrative costs.
Some principals expressed their anger on the lack of provision of facilities in their schools, such as youth corps members lodge, teachers quarters, laboratory equipment for science students, chalks for writing, tables and chairs for administrative offices and class rooms, deroofed buildings, games equipment, computers and accessories and others.
The principals said they have no option than to impose levies on outgoing students (WAEC candidates), to enable them service the school system.
WAEC fees were raised to N12,000 and N14,000 instead of the recommended N5,850. The same problem is also observed in the junior secondary schools as admission into JSS 1 was increased to N10,000 instead of the approved N4,600
Other complaints made by some principals during the investigation include official vehicles to enable them have easy mobility.
This affects mostly principals of schools in rural areas who have transportation difficulties. Some principals who have official buses say they are due for replacement, adding that some of the buses given to them were buses used for campaigns during Governor Peter Odili’s second tenure which many of them are using their salaries to maintain.
Many lamented the neglect of Governor Amaechi, insisting that although he is trying on the building of model schools, he has done little or nothing as it concerned their welfare.
They also lamented that the chairman of the LGAs the schools are located, especially those in the rural areas, never lived up to expectations by taking some responsibilities in the area of lacking facilities in the government secondary schools, considering the importance of education.
In Bori, Headquarters of Khana LGA, one of the premier secondary schools that has the highest population of students, the teachers and other staff said their quarters are not fit for pigs to live in. The same complain was expressed by more than 85% of the government schools in the rural areas.
In the light of the recent directive that parents whose children are not in school would be prosecuted, the same of the teachers wondered how the government would achieve its desire to for excellence in education, if no emphasis is stressed on the welfare of the teachers and provision of adequate facilities in the government owned secondary schools.
They also stressed that fresh qualified personnel should be employed to improve and achieve the expected educational standards in schools and also retire teachers and principals due for retirement, to allow in fresh air.
When The Newswriter visited the office of the Hon. Commissioner of Education, Mrs Alice Nemi Lawrence to ascertain the veracity of the claims of the Principals, her Press Secretary said, “My Commissioner is not on seat and I would like you to see the Permanent Secretary on issues like this.”
By Alapakaba Tobin
