Ukah Warns Against Illegal Operation Of Private Schools In Delta

By Magnus Emuji, Asaba

Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, has urged all registered and genuine private school owners to collaborate with his ministry in the fight against the illegal operation of private schools in the state.

Mr. Ukah, made the call in Asaba during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON) and The Organisation of Private School Owners of Nigeria ( TOPSON).

The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner, who described them as critical stakeholders in the educational development of the state, said that the synergy would go a long way in enhancing the standards of education in the state.

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While saying that the initiative would also contribute in checkmating the prevailing issues of examination malpractice, advised parents to desist from enrolling their children in miracle centres for external examinations.

Mr. Ukah, who enjoined them to ensure that teachers and children in their schools adhered strictly to Covid 19 protocols, recalled that before school was opened the State had to enter into agreement with the Presidential Task Force on Covid 19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for effective adherence to the prescribed guidelines.
He said that the ministry would always carry them along in the scheme of things and provide an enabling environment for them to operate.

Earlier, the State
NAPPS Chairman, Deacon Monday Ifoghere, who spoke on behalf of other associations, commended the commissioner for his passion for the education sector as well as his result oriented approach for the safe reopening of schools in the state.

Deacon Ifoghere appealed to the State Government for a waver in the payment of their renewal fees as a result of the ravaging effects of the global pandemic and extend the enrollment of the Cognitive/ Placement(Pry 6) and Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).

Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Comrade Samuel Dietake, the Special Assistant to the commissioner, Mr. Felix Ideh, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Felix Akporugo, Director of Exams and Standards, Mr. Sunday Egomagwuna, Director of Inspectorate, Mr. Enerst Ossai ,the Director of Schools, Mrs. Clementina Ojumah and the Legal Officer to the Ministry, Mrs. Ogunlaye Nneora.

Others were the Director of Science Education, Mrs Kehinde Oderewho , the State President of TOPSON, Mr. Bagh Ekrebe and Comrade Keno Emiaso, who is the State Chairman of APSON among other members of the various associations.