By DAYO ADESULU

The Rivers State Government RSG says it has addressed the issue of out of school children in the State. The Commissioner for Education, Rivers State, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi stated this while on inspection of schools after the resumption of second term academic session. She said that the State Government under the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has provided the necessary facilities for academic excellence in the State.

The Commissioner noted that the number of completed schools in the State will accommodate the every child in Rivers State.  ‘’The State Government is serious about children not being in school. Out-of-school is something which no state will tolerate particularly in Rivers State because His Excellency has put in place the right infrastructure and recruited teachers’’, she said.

Lawrence-Nemi who was delighted with the turn-out of pupils and students in schools noted that the State has made big improvement since Governor Amaechi took over the mantle of leadership. She pointed out that pupils and students are now trooping in to schools on resumption days because of the state-of-art facilities provided for them in their schools. The Commissioner also commended the teachers who she described as the best in the country because of their commitment and dedication.

She maintained that Rivers State teachers will provide quality teaching to their pupils and students in 2014. “Well as you can see all the teachers are in the classroom compared to seven years ago when His Excellency came on board, teachers are very serious minded. Also, you can see the population compared to seven years ago. I have been in the Ministry of Education for nearly six and half, if you go, you won’t see any child on  resumption day but now parent are more dedicated to see that their children are in school.’’ she stated.

On his part, the new Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Education, Barr Micheal West said that he is delighted with his posting to the Ministry of Education. Micheal West who had served in the Ministries of Power and Finance stated that he will assist the Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi in realizing the visions of the Governor in the education.

The Permanent Secretary said that he was amazed with the infrastructures put in place in different model primary and secondary schools in the State. He said, “the people of Rivers State should be really proud of this administration because of the number of completed projects in the State. ‘’I am delighted to be here. This is the first time I have actually entered any of these new primary schools and I can tell you that I am amazed at what the Government is doing, and the people of Rivers State should be really proud of this administration. This is fantastic and I am going to support the Commissioner to drive the vision of the State Governor on education’’ he said.

The Head Teacher of Model Primary School Elekahia Port Harcourt, Mrs Erebulo Nyanabo said that academic activities have commenced fully in their school. The Head Teacher stated that the teachers are well prepared for the second term academic session. She noted that the teachers have all prepared their lecture notes during the Christmas holidays and promised of improved teaching from the teachers.

‘’We have started in earnest, right from the morning devotion to the classroom. The teachers prepared themselves during the holidays for this week, they have already prepared their notes and have submitted them to me. I have already gone through them and have approach them’’, she said.