Rivers launches free books, uniforms for pupils

RIVERS State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, has warned school administrators in the state, who are in the habit of selling uniforms to pupils to desist from the act or face sanctions.Speaking at the launching of free books, uniforms, bags and sandals for the state's primary school pupils, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state recently, Lawrence-Nemi also urged the beneficiaries and their parents to handle government property with care. She implored the pupils to justify the state government's investment by taking their studies seriously.The Commissioner explained that it had been the cardinal policy of the Rotimi Ameachi administration to promote free and compulsory primary and junior secondary education in Rivers state. This, she explained, informed the declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector. 'Thus on October 1, 2010, the Governor declared the commencement of free education in Rivers state. He also launched free books, free uniforms, sportswear and sandals project for primary and junior secondary schools.She continued: 'Governor Amaechi has built over 428 model schools across the State with ICT (Information and Communication Technology) facilities, modern libraries, sick bays, offices and auditorium. Out of this number, 188 are fully completed, 82 have been fully furnished, 155 have been fenced, while 102 are currently undergoing fencing. At the secondary level, the state government is providing 23 model secondary schools in each local government area of the state, with full boarding facilities.'The state Government also took over payment of teachers' salaries at the primary school level from the local government council. The Ministry of Education, in partnership with British Council, before the end of the year, will have trained over 10 000 teachers in the state, in order to improve the quality of services rendered by the teachers.'It is worthy of note that this achievement by the state in education sector has earned Rivers State an award by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as the best performing state in the country and many other awards.
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