‘Declare state of emergency in education sector’

Belema Indigenous Oil  Company, operator of Oil Mining Lease OML 25, on Sunday called for the declaration of state of emergency in the education sector, saying there is need for total overhauling.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jack-Rich Tein, made the call at the  closing ceremony of the 20th founder’s day anniversary of Archdeacon Brown Education Centre (ABEC) Group of Schools in Port Harcourt.

Tein, who was the special guest of honour was represented by the Head of Corporate  Communication, Mr Abel Jombo,  said the country is presently faced with two major problems: insecurity and drought in education.

“Insecurity talks about our today’s existence, the problem in education sector talks about our future. Now, if we have a problem hovering around insecurity  and we downplay issues about education, then we don’t have a country.

“We also don’t have a future. So I think as we clamour for a state of emergency in security, we should also clamour for state of emergency in our education sector because a lot need to be done,” he said.

He commended ABEC Group of Schools for its commitment quality  education, promising to equip the schools diagnostic centre and support the school through Belema Oil Education Scholarship Programme.

The former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari,  in her speech, commended the founder of ABEC Group of Schools, Dr. Christie Toby and the chairman, ABEC Group, Gabriel Toby for their contributions to the development of education in Rivers State.

Semenitari, who is currently the executive manager of the group of schools, said that the school as an inclusive education centre within 20 years, had produced students who are currently doing well in  many countries of the world.

She urged parents to partner with the school authorities to ensure that students abstained from social vices and be sensitive to notice when their children are passing through trauma.

Similarly in her speech, Mrs. Ijeoma Okoro, the chairman of the occasion, said that the country is at the point where it needs to overhaul the educational system.

She commanded ABEC Group of Schools for its achievements within 20 years and advised parents not to force their children to study what they don’t want to study but rather, they should be allowed to discover their talents.