The West African test Council (WAEC) has barred several secondary schools in Abia state from taking the regional body’s examinations for engaging in test fraud.
Professor Uche Eme Uche, Commissioner for Education, announced this during a press briefing in Umuahia, the state capital, saying that the test board had just notified the state about the unpleasant situation.
Despite her failure to notify the impacted institutions, the commissioner indicated that the majority of them were private schools.
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The commissioner, who disapproved on any behavior that may degrade the state’s reputation, stated that the involved institutions’ operational licenses will be revoked to prevent others.
She said that the state backed WAEC’s move since it would assist put an end to the bastardization and lowering of academic standards in schools by some questionable operators.
Professor Uche stated that the state has already closed several of the affected schools owing to their unwholesome practices, and that they regretted not heeding the warnings and continuing to cut costs.
Earlier, the commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu, said that the governor of the state, Dr. Alex, has approved the urgent reconstruction of 170 primary and 51 public secondary schools around the state.
He stated that ten elementary and three secondary schools will be picked from each of the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
According to him, the renovations are intended to give the state’s public schools a makeover and make them more conducive to learning.
He noted that this was in addition to the six model schools that are presently being built in the three senatorial districts.
The government spokesperson further stated that the governor has authorized the distribution of N62 million in bursaries to Abia law undergraduates at various tertiary institutions throughout the nation.
This, he explained, was to help them cope with the rise in their tuition and training costs in the midst of severe economic difficulty.
Regarding the school renovations, the commissioner for education stated that each of the benefitting schools will have staff quarters, a head teacher’s home, and a caretaker’s house to assure the school property’s protection.
According to her, the gesture demonstrates the Otti-led administration’s strong belief in education as a foundation for any community.
She stated that the state government has determined to revitalize and promote education in the state, and that the renovations would be completed in stages until all public schools in the state have been updated.
