‘…Free Education covers tuition only, not boarding’
Akwa Ibom State government led by Pastor Umo Eno has appealed to parents in boarding schools whose children’s tuition fees have been paid by the government under the Free and Compulsory Education Policy, to undertake basic responsibility of supporting their children.
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TO INVESTIGATE BOARDING FACILITIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Following from the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and innutrious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school. I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state. This review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menu, kitchen, and sanitary facilities, will be jointly overseen by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board. Consequently, I have also directed the immediate suspension of the Principal of the school, Dr. NSE Sunday Umoh pending the outcome of the investigation.
Despite the fact that the free education policy of the state government, covers tuition fees only and not boarding fees, the welfare and dignity of all students, especially those in public schools, remain a priority of the Umo Eno-led administration. We appeal to parents who have already been greatly relieved of the burden of tuition fees to undertake basic parental responsibilities to support their children in secondary schools.
The Ministry is committed to ensuring that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff.
We urge the public to remain patient while this investigation lasts. The Governor, Pastor Umo Eno remains unwavering in his commitment to education, as outlined in the ARISE Agenda.
Signed:
Mrs Idongesit Etiebet
Honourable Commissioner
23112024
SOS: AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SAVE PSSSI
I am heartbroken by the attached horrifying video sent to me this morning by a fellow alumnus of Presbyterian Senior Science School Ididep (PSSSI), Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
This video shows the despicable “food” that students of the once prestigious school are being fed with.
I’m alarmed by this sheer act of wickedness.
If someone told me that PSSSI has deteriorated to this point, I wouldn’t have believed. This looks similar to what prisoners in Nigeria are fed with.
Dogs should not be fed with this rubbish that I am seeing.
The dining hall looks like a concentration camp.
I have confirmed that the students are fed with a useless tea/bread as breakfast, the eyesore we are seeing in this video as lunch, and “stone rice that cooks cannot separate the sand” as supper.
I am calling on the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, the Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board, Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon, and the Akwa Ibom State Government as a whole to urgently intervene and address this situation.
I am also publicly calling on the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong and other government officials from the area to look into this matter.
Even though I left PSSSI in my SS2 third term to pursue my law dream, it was one of the best secondary schools in the State at the time.
We cannot allow our children to be dehumanized in this manner.
It is unacceptable.