Education
Kogi Pledges to Eradicate Exam Malpractices – Commissioner
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to totally eradicate all forms of examination malpractices in schools across the state.
State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, made the statement in Lokoja at a meeting with Principals of 61 de-recognized secondary schools by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).
According to him, the 61 schools which comprised 21 private and 40 public schools were de-recognised on account of malpractices in the 2022 West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).
Jones noted that the punitive measures of imposing fines and sanctions by WAEC would not solve the problem of examination malpractice.
”We need to go back and strategise using the Education law with a thorough investigation to ensure that we totally eradicate examination malpractice in our schools.
“This meeting has brought out a number of issues, and we have seen that the previous approach of just sanctioning the erring schools is like a medicine after death,” he said.
Jones added that the ministry would do a thorough diagnosis to get to the root courses of examination malpractice and carry out some operations, which would hurt a number of people.
He said the state government would not be investing hugely in the education sector then some people somewhere would be sabotaging her efforts.
He reiterated that the government would get to the root causes of the menace, and whosoever was found wanting would be prosecuted according to the State’s Education Law.
The commissioner stressed that anyone involved in the conspiracy of perpetrating and abetting examination malpractice, such as principals, teachers, invigilators, supervisors as well as parents and WAEC officials would be prosecuted.
On his part, the Branch Controller of WAEC, Lokoja, Babajide Tijani, said a total of 527 secondary schools participated in 2022 WASSCE in the state, out of which 61 were derecognized on account of examination malpractice.
According to him, erring candidates’ results have been canceled, supervisors also penalized, while the affected schools will pay a fine of N500,000 each with other sanctions.
Tijani noted that WAEC remained a third-party body in the conducting of its examination, saying the principals, teachers, and schools were the major players.
He, therefore, urged schools’ principals to take full responsibility by ensuring proper monitoring of candidates, invigilators as well as supervisors in the examination hall.
Speaking, Kasim Muhammed, second Vice President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), decried the high rate of syndicates and proliferation of WAEC centres in many substandard schools in the state.
Muhammed urged the ministry and WAEC to put better mechanisms in place that would thoroughly checkmate the menace of examination malpractice in the state.
He, however, appealed to WAEC to consider a reduction in the fine of N500,000 per school, saying, “it is too outrageous which will not in any way put to check the menace.”
Some of the affected schools’ principals: Hassan Suleiman, Aitam Science Academy Anyigba; Aminu Adeyemi, Oluyori Secondary School Isanlu; and Ibrahim Umar, Community Secondary School, Okene, and others, all appealed to the commissioner and WAEC to temper justice with mercy.
They promised to take steps to forestall such recurrence in their respective schools.
The FCT Universal Basic Education Board(UBEB) has reiterated its commitment to ensure quality education and address out of school children.The Board made the pledge on Monday in Abuja during the finals of the 2024 season 3 of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board Head – To- Head Debate Reality show.
Through the programme student ambassadors aim to convince their peers at home to return to school. The Board’s spokesperson, Mrs Patience Ossai quoted Dr Alhassan Sule, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT UBEB in a statement as saying the importance of education could not be overstated. He affirmed that globally, education was the bedrock of development and a passport to the future.He added that the Federal government under President Ahmed Tinubu saw education as a priority, adding that FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wikem was working to improve infrastructural development in FCT schools.Sule noted that the board was using the initiative as a strategy to curb the menace of out of school children in the territory and further supported the Federal government effort in reducing the syndrome.“We all know that Basic Education is free and compulsory and there is sanction for violation of the Act.“So we urge all hands to be on deck to support education for all. No more hawking during school hours,” Sule said.The Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmud commended FCTUBEB for the invaluable contribution in addressing the incidence of out- of – school children challenge in FCT.Mahmud represented by Mrs Grace Adayilo, Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, assured that the FCT Administration would be duly responsible for sustaining the project.Dr Jumai Ahmadu, the leader of Head – To- Head Reality Show and Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, FCTA, said that the debate was the first of its kind under Sule’s visionary leadership.She added that Head – To- Head was a vision that should be supported and sustained.“The vision of the programme is to ensure that every child of school age is in school and to reduce social vices in the society,” she said.Ahmadu also applauded FCTUBEB for providing a serene and conducive environment marked with high-tech equipment to host the programme.The winners of the reality show were from Bwari Area Council they won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.The winning school, Junior Secondary School Dutse Alhaji II was given a generator, laptops, knapsacks, certificates and a golden trophy.The second place, JSS Kubwa 1 was equally rewarded with laptops, bags, certificates and trophy. Consolation prizes were given to the third, fourth position. (NAN)
The Veritas University, Abuja, on Saturday, graduated a total of 795 students in various disciplines from six facilities during its 13th Convocation ceremony
Report says that 716 of the graduands bagged first degrees while 79 graduated from the post graduate school.
56 if the first degree graduands came out with first class honours, 329 with second class upper division, 291 with second class lower division and 40 with third class.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.
Hyacinth Ichoku, said that the impact of the institution had reflected in its standard of education.Ichoku said the students had recorded outstanding breakthroughs by winning awards for the school and country both at the national and international levels.
”Our students have continued to shine in the last years. The Software Engineering Department of the institution won the African Global Engineering Competition.
”We have also won the Commonwealth debating championship as well as an AI competition involving 150 university,” he said.
He added that the institution had inaugurated its endowment fund with the aim to generate funds to address the infrastructural need of the university.
He also said that the institution had just completed the construction of two separate hostels, each to accommodate 500 students, while also expanding its digital hub that would facilitate international teaching and learning.
He said pledged that the institution was planning the construction of its faculty of engineering and innovation.
In a goodwill message, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, lauded the institution its achievements.
Maiyaki said that the milestone resulted from years of hardwork, resilience and commitment in inculcating academics and moral values for the educational advancement of the country.
The institution’s Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Dr Matthew Kukah, said that the country was at the crossroads as a result of numerous challenges the country is faced with.
Kukah said that with the emergence of a new terrorist group, there was need for the country to brace up to this challenge to avert future problems.
He charged the graduating students to deliver on the confidence reposed in them to help the country find a lasting solutions to some of the challenges.
Highlight of the event included award of prizes to the outstanding students in their various departments and faculties.
Prominent Nigerians also bagged the institution’s honorary doctorate degree award.
The honorees were the Asagba of Asaba Kingdom, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, and the Executive Secretary, Sahara Power Group, Kolawole Adesina.
Others are Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Alaba Job and Archbishop Emeritus of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna.(NAN)
The national ex-officio of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), Moses Alalade, has called for equipping Nigerian students with the skills needed to excel in green careers.Alalade said green jobs are critical not only for sustainable development but also as a pathway to meaningful employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
In a press statement, he appealed to government bodies, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions to support programs that empower young professionals in the sustainable energy sector. “We call on the government and industry stakeholders to support programs designed to illuminate the path for young professionals interested in the fast-growing field of sustainable energy.”As we prepare the next generation of professionals, it’s essential that we offer the skills needed to contribute effectively to a sustainable energy sector.“Green energy is pivotal to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), offering renewable solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate risks,” Alalade said.According to him, green jobs, which have a direct positive impact on the environment, are increasingly vital as we address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.”These roles are at the forefront of the shift toward a low-carbon economy and are integral to creating a sustainable future. As countries and organizations prioritize clean energy, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals to design, install, and maintain renewable energy systems.”He further acknowledged the importance of partnerships in advancing these goals, commending government agencies and international organisations that contribute to sustainable energy efforts.“We appreciate key government agencies and organizations, such as Student Energy, for their commitment to training young Nigerians and supporting sustainable energy solutions,” he stated.Prior to his leadership at NAUS, Alalade actively led sustainability initiatives as Chapter President of Student Energy.Student Energy, a Canada-based non-profit, is dedicated to building capacity in clean energy for young leaders across campuses worldwide.Under Alalade’s leadership, the chapter launched the Switch and Spark Initiatives, which offer students exposure to clean energy concepts and hands-on experience with sustainable solutions.
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