The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State is alarmed that the recent warning by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Delta State, Patrick Ukah against illegal collection of fees in public basic and secondary schools, is nothing but political grandstanding!
It is a known fact that the educational system in Delta State, particularly at the basic and secondary schools, is nothing to write home about.
Although, the State APC condemns in totality the illegal collection of monies from impoverished parents of pupils and students in public schools by some School Heads and Principals, we dare challenge the State Government to brace up to its responsibilities as regards the sector, especially as it affects the Basic and Secondary Schools.
From available information, more than ninety percent (90%) of Heads and Principals of public schools are not getting subventions for the running of schools under their care! How do you expect public schools to run effectively, when their Heads/Principals are subjected to the point of using their personal salaries to buy chalks, dusters, prints examination questions’ papers, buy chemicals for laboratory test, and the teachers providing their own chairs and tables in their staff rooms! Can the State Government swear that she knows nothing about their plight!
We are not unaware of the fact that hundreds of millions of Naira are budgeted and provided for, year in, year out, yet the monies do not get to the Schools’ Heads/Principals. Undiluted information says that some persons in the Post Primary Education Board, State Universal Basic Education Board and some topnotch in the Ministry of Education whose specialty/stock in trade is, cornering of monies meant for the schools, do not make the monies available for the Schools’ Heads/Principsls. Rather, they feast on them to the detriment of the poor in public Schools.
As stated earlier, APC, Delta State is not in support of illegal collections of monies by School Heads/Principals under any guise. But, the fact remains that stopping same requires the State Government doing what is requires of her.
The unfortunate thing is that majority of those who are killing the educational sector in Delta State, are products of public schools. They enjoyed free education in their time, from Late Ambrose Ali Government and others! Why this wickedness against the poor and the needy? We say so because the children of these unpatriotic elements are not in public schools, but private schools within and outside Nigeria.
The State Government should stop her pretence and do the needful. deltans, particularly the poor deserves right to quality education.
THE CHILDREN OF THE POOR YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS TODAY COULD BE YOUR TORMENTORS TOMORROW!
Signed:
Barr. Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina,
Publicity Secretary, APC, Delta State.
Dated this 5th day of December, 2019.
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