Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara has said the stark reality of having 75 percent of primary schools in the state without teachers and 90 percent of such schools in dilapidated condition is very troubling.
The governor said he became aware of the deplorable state of the primary schools when a firm, New Global, in its bid to partner with his administration to enhance the capacity of teachers, performed field assessments of the personnel that they intend to train.
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The governor said the report from the field was very disappointing because the firm did not find the number of teachers that should be so trained, which should have greatly benefited Rivers’ children.
Fubara, who spoke yesterday when the Muslim community in the state paid him a Sallah visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, emphasised the crucial place that primary school occupies in the educational journey of any child in shaping character, instilling essential skills, and fostering quest for learning, which, obviously had been ignored in the past.
He promised that his administration, having its focus firmly on education, health and agriculture, would ensure a change in what has been identified.
The governor said: “It will surprise you to note that an agency came to Rivers State. They call them ‘New Global’, and they were willing to spend $5million. It is not for infrastructure but to train our teachers, provide softwares and do other things to improve the learning process at the primary level.
“I told them to go around and assess the primary schools in the state. After their assessment, you won’t believe it that 75 percent of our primary schools have no teachers. 90 percent of the schools are dilapidated.
“So, how will you now put in the $5 million? So, when I said education, I really meant education. It’s not education where we renovate schools, and call people for commissioning.
“We are talking about touching on what is important, because, for us to develop as a society, for us to get it right from the foundation, it is at the primary school level. If we don’t have that aspect right as a foundation for preparing our youths as the leaders of tomorrow, then, we have lost it.”
Fubara noted that the tertiary health institutions in the state are overstretched because the primary and secondary health facilities are not functional.
He stated that in the coming days, the five zonal hospitals will be revisited so that they can become operational to expand healthcare services available to the people.
The governor said: “The only health facilities that are functional in this state are the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and maybe the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).”
In his address, the leader of the delegation and vice president-general, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, thanked Governor Fubara for his financial support that enabled them to participate in Hajj last year, and his inclusive policy that has given the community a sense of belonging.
Uhor, who assured that the Muslim community would not relent in partnering with the governor and his government, emphasised that they were solidly behind him, and approve of his people-oriented policies and programmes.