Bayelsa Tasks Education Ministry On Effective Schools Regulation… Wants Private School owners To Maintain Standards

The Bayelsa State Government has charged its ministry of education to do more in regulating the activities of both public and private schools in the state to achieve set objectives in the sector.

The State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the charge while granting audience to the state chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.

He emphasized the need for effective supervision of schools, saying government would come down hard on officials in the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies who fail to effectively carry out their supervisory responsibility in schools.

Ewhrudjakpo lamented that over 80 percent of private schools operating in the state did not meet the minimum required standards stipulated in the guidelines for registration of private schools due to poor regulation by relevant MDAs.

The Deputy Governor,called on the leadership of NAPPS to carry out a thorough self-examination to ensure that their members complied with the guidelines and provide quality education in their various schools.

He said: “I am happy you have stretched out your hand to government, especially the Ministry of Education, to see how our private schools could be properly regulated. As it is now, with due respect to all of us, both the Ministry and yourself, there is no regulation of the private schools in Bayelsa State.

“The number of private schools that are not supposed to exist in the state are more than those that are supposed to exist. That you know very well.

“The other day I went to the health centre at Amarata, and there was a private school there that was not more than this room where we are. It was not only a death trap but the environment was not conducive for anybody to learn. And you have all of them over the place.

“This is happening because those who are responsible for supervision or regulation of schools in our ministry of education and SUBEB are not doing what they are supposed to do effectively. But I can assure you, that will stop soon.

” You must also do your part because what you are giving at the primary end secondary levels, which is your turf, is important. So, you really have to brace up, work with the Ministry of Education to ensure total compliance with the required standards”.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of NAPPS, Barrister Marshal Abraham, said the association was committed to promoting quality educational services in collaboration with relevant government agencies and individuals in the state.

While reaffirming the Association’s support for the educational policies of present administration in the state, the state NAPPS chairman, called for government’s support for its statewide Spelling Bee Competition among private and public schools in the state.