Malpractices: Obaseki Orders Arrest of Two Teachers in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has ordered the immediate arrest of two teachers who were allegedly involved in examination malpractice at Ologbosere Primary School in Ikpoba -Okha local government area of the state.

The governor who was accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), however assured of his determination to improve in the quality of basic education in the state.

Obaseki made the order during an on-the-spot inspection of the Primary 6 school leaving examination which held across the state weekend, said the two teachers will be prosecuted according to the laws of the land just as he expressed dismay over corruption in examination process.

According to him, “as a policy we have started by ensuring that the exams is organised better and professionally, we have private and public schools been tested and because of the key motivation we have private schools trying to come and influence the exams to claim that children from private schools are better in standard exams.
“We are also bothered about the corruption in the exams process so all parents were kept outside because there was confusion in one of the schools, however our officials ensured that the process was not undermined.

Other schools inspected were Ebenezer Primary School, Ivbyenova Primary School, S.t Saviour, George Idah Primary School and Ologbosere Primary School.
At the school, Obaseki said the manner in which the pupils comported themselves was in compliance with the state government’s policy to improve education system.
“We decided that we will have the examination for primary six pupils which is a standard exam properly monitored. As a policy, we have decided that this exam should be reorganised and made a lot better and professional.”

He assured of his administration’s readiness to improve the quality of basic education in the state, stressing that the process will be tedious and rigorous but the children in the long run would be better for it.

He however warned parents against examination malpractices while assuring of government’s policy to improve the quality of basic education, which would see them through life.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Osayuware Idahosa, said the challenge of shortage of examination materials was mitigated, noting also that the turnout was very impressive.

She commended the governor and his entourage for participating actively in the monitoring exercise.
The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mallam Alli Suleiman, also expressed appreciation to the governor who with his collaboration had helped the board to strengthen basic education.

In another development, the Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has announced cash gifts of N100,000, each to deserving awardees of the Mathematics competitions held both locally and internationally.

He revealed this, recently, when members of the Executive Council of the Edo State Chapter of Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), in Benin City, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.
He congratulated the students on their successes in the various Mathematics competitions they participated in, noting that government is proud of the award of academic excellence bestowed on them.

He said there could be no meaningful development in any society if Mathematics, as the basis of all science subjects, is not promoted and accorded special attention in the academic curriculum.
He commended Asoro Grammar School students for having the highest number of awardees in all the Mathematics competitions, just as he gave the school Mathematics teacher, a cash gift N500,000 and , while challenging teachers from other public schools to emulate the school’s success.

Obaseki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the promotion and teaching of science subjects, adding that teachers across the state would be trained in the use of modern technology to enhance their skills in the teaching profession during the holiday.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Professor Lawrence Aguele said the visit was to formally intimate the governor on the success of the students in the various competitions held both at local and international levels.

He commended the governor for his developmental strides in the promotion of basic education and informed him on challenges facing the association, including lack of adequate office accommodation and means of transportation to convey the participants to the various competition centres.