The Bauchi State Teachers’ Service Commission has ordered the immediate removal and demotion of the Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Kirfi, Mr. Musa Ahmed Ningi, over alleged gross misconduct.

Also affected is the school’s Senior Master, Malam Adamu Shehu, who was dismissed for colluding with the principal in the unauthorized sale of government property belonging to the school.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commission’s Information Officer, Dahiru Adamu.

According to the statement, the sold items include 32 scrapped student beds, nine jumbo aluminum pots, and an unspecified number of roofing zinc sheets.

The Commission stated that the disciplinary actions were taken following the findings of a four-man investigative committee, which concluded that the two officials were culpable.

“The action was approved following the submission of the report of the investigation committee constituted to look into the allegations. The principal and the senior master were found guilty of gross misconduct and abuse of office,” the statement read.

The overseeing Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Garba Muhammad Bashe, who signed the statement, further revealed that both officials have been demoted by one grade level and redeployed as classroom teachers to different schools.

In addition, the Commission directed the two to jointly refund the sum of ₦597,000, being the assessed value of the sold items.

The former principal was also directed to refund ₦72,000, which represents unpaid allowances for casual workers at the school.

Reiterating its commitment to accountability in the education sector, the Commission assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to recover all vandalized and illegally sold school property. It also pledged to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that those involved are held accountable.

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The school located at Adesola area of Orita-Aperin, Ibadan shares similar structure with TL Oyesina Model Secondary School, Monatan, Ibadan.

Over the past, Government Secondary School, Orita-Aperin, (GSS) has been the delight of many, but today, it has turned to a laughing stock in the midst of other model schools. Today, GSS lacks nearly everything it needs to stand as a model school.

During our time in the school, there were students who came from very far areas like; Moniya, Ayegun Oleyo, and Elebu to the school, but today, you will hardly find such things, because the attractive things in the school are no more.

People don’t only choose schools because of the kind of education services the school renders. They also put some other things like; building and structure, staff strength, and security into consideration. GSS had nearly all of these then, but today, it is no gainsaying that it lacks many of the necessary things it used to have in the past and ought to maintain till now.

It is always heartbreaking for me to see students of my beloved alma mater sitting on floors, stones, and similar uncomfortable things during lessons. Many classes are in deficit of chairs, windows, and doors. The school library, halls, and some staff rooms are not even spared from deplorable outlook. The attractive school is gradually trending down the path of collapse.

Some people may ask, “what are the old students doing?” But take note that the school is not yet ripe for comparison with the likes of Government College Ibadan and Lagelu Grammar School. Only four sets of people have been produced by the school; those learning in higher institutions of learning, those praying for admission into higher institutions, those trying to have strong feet in the society, and those learning skills.

I, hereby, call on the State Government, philanthropists, Non-governmental organizations (NGO) and privileged individuals to kindly come to the aid of the school, assess the level of damages, and help in remodeling, refurbishing and renovating the school.

Thank you and God bless you! Save the model school!

Abdullateef Isa, writes from Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.

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Niger state government has declared that it is not sure of when the boarding schools that were shut down will reopen as a result of the insecurity ravaging the state.

The state Commissioner for Education, Hon Hannatu Jibrin, stated this during the reunion and handing over of the kidnapped Kagara students to their families on Sunday.

The Commissioner explained that the government is meeting with parents, teachers and other stakeholders to come up with a template for the reopening of the schools.

In her words, “The security challenge facing this state is huge and we have to ensure things are put in proper place before we will think of reopening the school. I can’t say when they will go back to school or when it will be reopened but we will ensure that the SS3 students are kept in touch with, to see how we will manage them so that they won’t miss anything and still write the final examination. Schools and students are delicate, but we are talking to the parents and other stakeholders to come up with a template for the reopening of the school”.

Speaking further, the commissioner encouraged the students not to be discouraged by their experience stressing that they should go back to the society as better people and identify a path to see how they can get out of the trauma caused by their abduction.

Also commenting , the Director-General of the Child’s Right Agency in the state, Hajia Mariam Kolo, who has been at the forefront of counselling of the students to get them out of the trauma described what they went through as indeed a harrowing experience.

Mariam, however said she was happy with the students’ response to  their counselling.

She also stated that the agency has done its best and that there would be a follow up on the students adding that the feedback from them will determine what steps would be taken next.

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The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran made the declaration while monitoring resumption of schools in the State capital, Ibadan.

Adeniran, who monitored the resumption alongside other members of the board expressed satisfaction with the situation they met at some schools visited.

The Chairman however called on other schools, who are yet to commence academic activities, to do so with the pupils immediately.

“We are going around to ensure quality in our education sector and ensure that infrastructural facilities are provided. This has afforded us the opportunity to identify schools in need of renovation and facilities.”

“We want school work to start immediately. We have gone to some schools and we noticed that a good number of them have already commenced”, he said.

“Therefore, we call on other schools to start teaching pupils immediately, as a matter of duty”, he added.

Dr. Adeniran opined that early commencement of academic activities would enable schools in the State to cover the syllabus, adding that, this would enable the state in achieving quality and standard learning outcome.

Meanwhile, Dr. Adeniran has issued a stern warning to staff members of the Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities, fond of sabotaging the present administration’s efforts at repositioning the education sector.

This is coming on the heels of allegations against some LGUBEA staff members that they extort retirees before processing their documents.

He read the riot act at Akinyele and Egbeda LGUBEAs, frowning at the unbecoming attitude of the said staff members.

“We have discovered that some of them (LGUBEA staffers) are not up and doing, and we have read the riot act to them, to henceforth stop these sharp practices, as this Government would not hesitate to punish anyone found culpable”, he said.

Schools visited include, Community Basic School, Alabidun, IDC Primary School, Olubadan, Ebenezer Community Primary School, Akingbile.

Other schools visited were, Islamic Mission School, Moniya, Methodist Primary School, Olorisaoko, Salvation Army Primary School, Ajibade and St. James Anglican Primary School, Alabata.

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I don’t know why and how I still manage to remember almost every bit of certain things that happened to me at my early stage in life. Just like the cases of every conscious adults, many people played their parts (either positive or negative) in our individual lives and these culminated in the little story of success we have got to tell for now.

I stood no good chance of acquiring the best of Western education because my both parents were unlettered and they chose to live in the same rustic Owobaale where only the adherents of Adventist Christian faith knew about when and how to enrol their children in schools. But luckily for me, we moved into the city fully in 1978 and I began a new life away from a place where a woman had been made to lacerate my face few weeks after my womb escape.

We moved into our newly built 6 room face-to-face bungalow beside the then 13 year-old Bishop Phillip’s Academy. The popular Texaco/MRS filling station in the Area now was a Sawmill at that time and a plot of land cost N500 or thereabouts. Houses with residents were clustered and most parcels of land had weeds, different tree species and palm trees on them. This was a time I would feel like a Prince after taking ‘raisi kobo meji, ewa kobo kan’ on any special day.

I was good at running errands for all and sundry while one Iya Offa (of blessed memory) would tutor me about elementary commerce with accurate calculation in money exchange. That mama was the best in making a local bean cake delicacy (Alapa elegusi ati Ede) and she would never stop giving me a small wrap as an incentive (Eeni) each time I patronized her even if it was 10 times in a particular day. She really ‘sharpened’ me with her native intelligence and compassion.

Then came 1980… Iya Offa hinted my mom that I was ripe for schooling due to her own observation. “Iya Omoo mi, Wasiu ti to bere Ile-Iwe o… Ogbon ori re koja ti opolopo awon omo ti n lo Suuku ti mo nri lojoojumo.” (Young woman, Wasiu is fit to start schooling pls… His level of intelligence is far more than most of those kids who I see everyday on their way to school). The grands told my mom one day.

Consequently, Maami discussed it with my dad and an agreement was reached between them. The following Monday, I was enrolled in Primary One at St. James’ Anglican Primary School, Agodi Village off old Iwo Road Ibadan (the place is now part of the communities which fused to become Iyanna Church Area of Ibadan). This was located in a recluse and it was far from our home. And following about two or three reported cases of child kidnapping, I was withdrawn from the school permanently.

Therefore, I lost that first year but I felt no loss as an innocent child. Then came the beginning of another school year… An uncle who was a serving in the Nigerian Army took her daughter (a younger cousin of mine) and me to the then 3 year-old Christ Apostolic Church Primary Schools, Abaa Monatan in 1981 and I started at Primary One again. After the end of the season, I did well in the promotion exam and I was promoted to Primary Two but my cousin failed.

The only two things to be cherished in me at that time were the modicum of brilliance in me and the Khaki uniform which was well made by one ‘Boda Tailor’ (an indigene of Ilobu who died many years ago). He made a round neck with two buttons on the left shoulder (Pademilejika we used to call the style). The Knicker was with two blazers made of same uniform fabric to rule out any use of belts. The only ironing on that school uniform was done by Booda Tailor but the ‘gaitors’ he created never left their original locations until the textile material fully expired about six years after. I would not write much about how I used to clean up the blank side of my academic ‘Slate’ with my own saliva.

Going forward; on the first day of the following Session, my Uncle took me and his daughter to a new school in protest. We landed in Army Children School, Iwo Road, Ibadan in 1982 and my joy knew no bound. “Emi naa? Ni School awon Army?” (My self in a school owned by the Military?)… I did soliloquy the moment I stepped on the Mammy Market on our way to the Headteacher’s office. My Uncle was in his Army uniform with a white Chevron on each of his shoulders and he offered Salutes to every Soldier we came across until we got to our destination. This also impressed me!

“Good morning, Madam. I bring my two children here for school… Put them for primary two”. Uncle said to the headmistress and the woman replied thus; “Good morning sir. No problem sir. Did you come with the report cards they got from their former school where they did their primary one?” She then sent for two teachers (Mr. Babalola and Mrs. Olayinka). They both came around and checked the two report cards carefully. Mr. Babalola was asked to address my Uncle… “Sir, the boy is qualified to be in Primary Two while the girl will have to start from Primary One again because she failed her last promotion exam.” He said.

“No, no, noooo! Omo mi ni awon mejeeji, nnkan ti mo fe ni mo si ti so fun yin yen…”Uncle thundered. When the Headmistress realized that Oga Soja meant business, she invited a Sargent who was passing by to intervene. At the end of the day, my Uncle ordered that the two of us should be put in Primary One class because he did not want us to be far apart. We were handed over to our new teachers and I started another fresh life in the same class for the third year. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize the quantum of time I have been made to lose as I was innocent, happy and uninformed at the same time.

Another end of the Session came… I emerged 2nd best while my cousin came 2nd from behind (32nd in a class of 33). In those days, virtually every literate person who came across primary/secondary pupils on the Vacation day would want to check your report card. People would stop you on the road and demand your Card. When they were done, they would offer handshake (or petty gifts) to the brilliant ones and sing (Olodo rabata, oju eja lo moo je) for the the academically poor ones. It was a day I was celebrated most for the first time in my life by relatively unknown people.

We were approaching home when we met an elder cousin who was then a Form Two student of Estate High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. It was a time teachers must give Prizes to brilliant students who came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in promotion exams. Adekunle Akanfe discovered I came 2nd and I was not given any gift… He forced me to return to the school where we were told two pupils got the First position grade and it was agreed that, in that circumstance, the pupil that came second who forfeit his own gift. The same teachers gave a gift to the pupil that came third behind me though. One of the teachers was fascinated by the rare show of boldness by my Egbon and she volunteered to gift me a ruler, a sharpener, an eraser and two exercise books in compensation.

On resumption for the next academic session, my soldier Uncle returned to make a demand for his daughter to either be promoted ‘On Trial’ or his other child (Wasiu) be made to repeat Primary One again. Commotion ensued when the headmistress kicked against the request and she immediately called the like of Mr Babalola, Mrs Jegede, Mrs Sadare (not a relation at all), Mrs Ajayi, Mrs Abolade, Miss Hassan and others to come around… My Uncle didn’t wait for their convergence before leaving the woman’s office on that day.

To be continued…

Wasiu Olawale Sadare, Journalist and Media Consultant writes from Ibadan, Oyo state

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The former football icon who was elected leader in January reemphasized that schooling was a key pillar of his “pro-poor agenda”.

“Our kids deserve the best and we must provide them that,” he said. “There are people here who get no opportunity and are in search of it to help better their lives.

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“We, as a government, must be in the position to help lift them out of their predicaments. We have to be honest to ourselves if we truly want to change and make our country a better place.”

President Weah, also noted that teacher development, improved infrastructure and changes to the school curriculum are all crucial in achieving success.

Liberia, affected by years of civil war and then the deadly Ebola outbreak in 2014 has one of the world’s worst out-of-school problems.

42 per cent of primary-age children, as gathered are not in education and over two-thirds of girls do not have basic reading skills.

Weah announced the 10-year education plan at the three-day National Education Summit last week in Kakata City.

The president, who grew up in a slum area of the capital Monrovia, tackled the issue of his own academic record.

“I know some of you people criticised me by saying that I did not go to school. But criticisms also make you strong.

“I can remember when I decided to go back to school when my kids were also in school. I went to high school with children who referred to me as ‘hey pops.’ I was not ashamed. I stayed and graduated and went to college”, he added.

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The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela made this statement in Ibadan on Thursday at the commissioning of a reconstructed and rehabilitated block of eight toilets with a borehole donated by an alumnus, Mrs. Adeola Odesanya to Bashorun Ogunmola High School in commemoration of her 50th birthday anniversary.

He added that massive overhauling of structures in one hundred (100) public secondary schools across the state has commenced while supply of furniture by government to schools is a continuous exercise.

“This is because our governor placed high premium on qualitative education hence provision of adequate teaching and learning materials has been his great priority”, he said.

Applauding the efforts of the donor, Mrs Odesanya for her determination towards ensuring that teaching and learning activities in the school are carried out in a conducive environment, the commissioner said, ” our experience here today is a testimony of the good intention of a determined alumnus to give back to her alma mater. This is demonstrated here today.

Olowofela continued, “let me reiterate here that Mrs. Odesanya’s renovation of a block of eight toilets with a borehole in Bashorun Ogunmola High School, Ibadan is a way of blessing younger generation and giving thanks to Almighty God who spared her life to reach the golden age”.

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The distribution of the medicines were made available during a flag off of School based deworming exercise in Ibadan by the Ministry of Health and Education, Science and Technology in conjunction with Evidence Action, the facilitator and partner of WHO.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela noted that the exercise is long overdue because of the effect of worms on school aged children between age 5 and 14 years.

The Commissioner said the worms like Ring Worms, Hook Worms, Fluke Worms and others are contacted through dirty environment, improper disposal of human waste, bathing in dirty water, eating unwashed fruits, eating with unwashed hands after using the toilet, walking bare foot and others.

According to Olowofela, the program started in 2016 with different meetings on how the school children can be treated and worms can be eradicated in the state. He added that the organizers have taken pains to train people and in turn train teachers that will administer the medicine.

He said: “Our Children are going to be treated for free with medicine to eradicate worms. The medicines are Mebendazole and Prazequantel. These medicine are free and safe for our children”.

Justifying the essence of the program, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan who was represented by the state Chairman of Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Lanre Abass said children live in the environments that are not sanitized and fall victims of diseases therein, saying as a way to prevent the children from these endemic diseases was the reason the program was organized.

He explained further that children suffering from worms will be anaemic and the reproductive system affected later in life, stressing that worms affect the growth of the children, development of the brain, causes them to stay away from school and thereby affecting their academic performance.

Also speaking, the Southwest Coordinator of Evidence Action, Pharmacist Tope Ogunbi said the flagging off of school base deworming program targets two tropical diseases.

According to him, the diseases affect great numbers of people who can’t afford treatment and Nigeria is one of the countries endemic for the diseases.

“we have identified schools to carry out the program which are both private and public primary schools and Junior Secondary schools in the state. We have trained teachers in the school on how to administer medicines to the school children and the medicines are safe and free”, he said.

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