Students in public schools will be given free text books, encyclopaedia, periodicals and classics for all subjects for primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools, the Rivers State Government has hinted.
This according to the Commissioner for Education, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, is part of its commitment to improving the quality of learning in the education sector, Africa Update reports.Â
Mmom stated this on July 4, while speaking with journalists after monitoring the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in some schools.
He said: ” Rivers State government has committed itself to providing books free of charge for all students in public schools and all subjects for nursery, primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools . This will include text books, encyclopaedia, periodicals and classics. we are taken delivery of the first consignment by next week after that, we will make arrangements for the delivery of same to the various zones for principals to share to students in preparation for the next academic session”.
On the conduct of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), the Commissioner expressed satisfaction on the seamless conduct of the examination in all the schools visited adding that the monitoring exercise will continue throughout the period of the examination.
Prof. Mmom also re-echoed governments zero tolerance to all forms of examination malpractice saying that the state government has paid for the examination for all students in public schools warning principal to stay clear from charging students illegal fees as any one caught will be shown the way out.
His words “Rivers State government sponsored and paid for this examination for all students in public schools. No child should be charged any amount, not even one naira. No burden should be put on any student because the government has taken full responsibility of the financial burdens of this examination. We believe that the principals and teachers shall comply with this but anyone who decides to do otherwise will be dealt with”.
The Commissioner also commended the state government led by His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara (GSSRS) for the remodelling and renovation of schools in the state saying that government is committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning environments in public schools.
Schools monitored today includes Community Secondary School Rumueprikom, Government Girls Secondary School Rumuokwuta, Community Junior Secondary School Olanada, Rumuola amongst others.
