(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/schools-300x200.jpg) Bayelsa State Government is building two hundred primary schools across the state this year.
Commissioner for Works Mr. Erijakpo Lawrence made this known when the delegation of the National Good Governance Tour inspected the progress of work at Community Primary School Biogbolo/Yenizue in Yenegoa, the State Capital.
He said the initiative was in line with the state of emergency Governor Seriake Dickson declared in the education sector on assumption of office.
Mr. Lawrence stated that already the construction of two hundred of such primary schools started last year with some being completed to add up to the ones being constructed this year. He added that another set of two hundred would commence next year in the hope that by the end of the administration, the entire state would be covered.
According to him, the new schools being constructed will give priority to Information and Communication Technology as a deliberate strategy to inculcate basic computer appreciation in pupils.
He attributed the delay in the distribution of books, sandals, uniforms and bags to all the primary schools in the state to the recent floods that ravaged the area and assured that when the pupils resume for the third term, the Governor would flag off the distribution.
On secondary education, Mr. Erijakpo Lawrence disclosed that the State Government is establishing model boarding secondary schools, which are being equipped with all the required facilities including compulsory swimming pools befitting the status of a riverine state.
In terms of teacher welfare and development the Commissioner said "the Governor is just not only teacher friendly, he is passionate about education and so he has established what we call the TTI – the Teachers Training Institute.
"What we are doing with that institute is to send all our teachers to refresher course every 3 months," he said.
He added that Bayelsa is one of the states that implemented the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) to motivate teachers to put in their best.
Mr. Lawrence also informed the Tour Team that the State Government is sponsoring 137 PhD students abroad, 432 MSc. students within and outside the country as well as 521 undergraduates.
To further buttress the comments of the Works Commissioner, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Allison Oguru said under the emergency declared in the sector, education would be tuition-free at the primary and secondary levels with free text and exercise books, bags, sandals and uniforms.
In addition, he said, new model of schools and infrastructure are being built including staff accommodation.
In his remarks, Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku said Bayelsa State is in transition and expressed delight at the level of comprehensive infrastructure being constructed in schools across the state.
"If they are doing 200 of these structures this year and next year they take another 200, then it is clear that God helping the State Government, by the time Governor Dickson's tenure comes to an end -and this is a first term Governor – so he has just started really and because he has started, at least we now have a framework of what he wants for primary education". Mr. Maku said.
He noted that the new environment would encourage learning and give students more confidence in themselves in order to achieve excellence.
Mr. Maku however tasked the State Government to ensure that the 200 primary schools under construction are completed in time and put to use.
While making his observation on the old school structure standing beside the one under construction, he said "the former school that we are seeing across this place is not fit for students; the structures are not motivating; it is unkempt and the impact of the flood and previous neglect is very evident on the old school that is standing there – almost orphaned and because it is clearly when you see it, you know that it's not the environment that we expect for our students here".
Mr. Maku pleaded with the authorities to ensure a clean environment not only in the school environment but in the State Capital, Yenagoa. "One of the early signs of a serious administration is environmental sanitation. If you go to a place and it is clean, you know that the people there are serious", he said.
He equally called for the planting of trees in the school environment to provide shade that would make the school habitable.
The sum of N135 million is being expended on the construction of the Community Primary School Biogbolo/Yenizue while N11.8 million is to be spent on the construction of the ICT building and headmaster's quarters.
In addition, he said, new model of schools and infrastructure are being built including staff accommodation.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria