Govt Restates Ban On Using Public Schools For Social Activities

The Edo State government has restated its ban on the use of premises of public schools for social activities, as part of efforts to check vandalism and provide a more conducive learning environment.

The special adviser to the state governor on basic education Dr. Joan Oviawe stated this after monitoring the conduct of Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) in some government schools in Ikpoba Okha, Egor and Oredo local government areas of the state.

According to her, the present administration is doing all it can to ensure that public schools offer quality education and a more harmonious relationship with their host communities.

“With such measure in place, communities will take over ownership of the infrastructure as critical stakeholders and put the problem of vandalism behind them”.

Dr. Oviawe expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination at the centres she visited, saying it has been in order.

“I want to commend the authorities of the various schools we have visited for the orderly manner the examinations are being conducted. There are some challenges that are surmountable and we will improve on the entire process after critically reviewing the findings of our visits.”

Earlier at the Oredo Girls Secondary School, the Principal, Mrs Patience Onwodi, informed the governor’s aide that the examinations had been peaceful and without any form of disruption.

She further solicited the support of the state government in repairing dilapidated school buildings to provide more classrooms for students.

However, there were severe complaints at the Uselu Girls Secondary School where land grabbing activities by the host community were also reported.