PTA Forum Tasks FG on Improved Standard of Unity Colleges

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Chairmen Forum of South-West unity schools has urged the newly appointed minister of education to bring his wealth of experience to bear in sanitising the system. 

This is contained in a statement by both Prof. Lukuman Jimoda and Dr Emmanuel Onyenuche, chairman/zonal coordinator and zonal  secretary respectively, issued on Saturday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the colleges remain national treasures that have contributed to the much desired national development.

“We want to first of all, welcome the newly appointed Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and his state counterpart for education, Mr Tanko Sununu. We pray for your success in office, while assuring you of the unalloyed support of parents, as critical stakeholders,” said the statement.

It added, “Having said this, we also wish to appeal to you to hit the ground running in a bid to sanitise the entire 110 unity colleges across the country, in a bid to upscale the standard and get desired results.”

The statement said in the light of improving the standard of education in these colleges, government must also consider the enforcement of a rigorous and merit-based admission process by admitting only deserving candidates.

“It  has come to our attention that some parents have resorted to cheating centres,  also known as special centres, to gain an unfair advantage during the entrance examination,” the statement further explained. “We urge you to direct the National Examinations Council (NECO) to emulate the integrity demonstrated by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in conducting the examination.”

It pledged that “upholding the sanctity of the entrance examination, will ensure that these unity schools are populated by deserving students who will contribute positively to nation building.”

The statement further enjoined the Federal Government to take a holistic approach in the funding and maintenance of the colleges, in a bid to reduce financial burden on parents.

It noted that the dearth of teaching and non teaching staff in the colleges was another source of concern to the parents, as this had further increased their financial burden, by way of stepping in to employ such staff, to fill the existing gaps.

According to the statement, there is the need for government to consider the PTA employed staff, who work hand in hand with their counterparts employed by government in these colleges, so as to sustain the standard of education.

The statement added that with the recent hike in fuel pump price and the prevailing economic difficulties faced by many families, the proposed increase would force a lot of children to drop out of school, thereby truncating their quest for education.

The  South-West zone of unity colleges comprises 18 federal government schools.