A group, National Youth Alliance, NYA, Imo State chapter has urged the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the education sector of Imo State.
The group said in a statement signed by its state Chairman Theodore Chinonso Ubah that its demand stems from the woeful performance of the administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma in the education sector of the state.
Ubah, an activist and broadcaster observed that the Uzodimma administration was unable to conduct the Basic Certificate of Education, BCE(formerly First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), Common Entrance Examinations and Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (JSSCE) in the 2023/2024 academic session.
According to him, these examinations are prerequisites for gaining admission into junior and senior secondary school.
In his words; "These examinations are fundamental to gaining admission into secondary schools because without these examinations, pupils are deemed unqualified for secondary education.
"These examinations are taken between June and July of every academic year preceding a new academic calendar .
"Unfortunately, in Imo state of today, the 2023/2024 academic year has ended and the 2024/2025 academic year will soon commence by September 2024, yet Imo State Ministry of Education is yet to conduct the compulsory Basic Education Certificate/First School Leaving Certificate FSLC and Common Entrance Examinations for primary six pupils".
He expressed regret that Imo pupils who have completed their basic primary education are currently in dilemma because they won't be gaining admission into the lower basic education by September 2024.
He also accused the government of exhibiting incompetence in her educational system by failing to conduct the compulsory Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (JSSCE) in the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ubah pointed out that those who graduated from the lower basic education or junior secondary won't be admitted for their senior secondary education.
He accused the Uzodimma administration of fleecing huge sums of money from about 15,000 pupils and students who paid N5,000 each to sit for the examinations.
He said; "This is pure scamming of innocent children whose parents are currently struggling to make ends meet.
"It's on record that since the declaration of Uzodimma as Imo governor by the Supreme Court, the education system of the state has nose dived into an irredeemable corner of no return.
"Since 2020, Imo state has continued to record terrible results in WASSCE & NECO. A state that once prided itself in academic exploits and excellence, is now a laughing stock in the Nigeria academic circle. This goes to aptly capture the saying ' You cannot give what you don't have'
He therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the education system and mandate the Federal Ministry of Education to take over the Imo state Ministry of Education and immediately conduct the BCE/FSLC and Common Entrance Examinations as well as the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (JSSCE) for pupils and students to enable them gain admission into the JSS1 and SSS1.
https://nigerdeltaconnect.com/abia-postpones-planned-restrictions-on-tricycles-motorcycles
