Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has committed to revitalizing the state’s educational system, aiming to encourage parents to move their children from private to public schools. This pledge was made during a solidarity visit by members of the Rivers State Parents Teachers’ Association for All Government Schools at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Governor’s statement, released by Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, emphasized plans to improve both infrastructure and educational content in public schools. Represented by Dr. George Nweake, Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Fubara highlighted that these efforts aim to alleviate financial burdens on parents, many of whom spend a significant portion of their income on private school fees.
“We are going to transform the school system in Rivers State,” Fubara stated. “School supervision will be strengthened. Many people are forced to take their children to private schools. We will make our schools models, encouraging a shift from private back to public schools.”
He continued, “The current minimum wage isn’t enough for many families because they have to cover private school fees. By improving government schools, both in terms of infrastructure and content, we will attract students back to public schools. This shift will lower living costs for parents and improve overall economic conditions.”
Governor Fubara also addressed the issue of parents harassing teachers who discipline students, declaring that his administration would not tolerate such behavior. He called for a cooperative relationship between parents and teachers to support the proper education and discipline of children. “Parents, please allow your children to be taught. Some parents go to schools to molest teachers, which we will not tolerate. Discipline is crucial for a child’s upbringing,” he asserted.
Fubara emphasized the government’s efforts to support teachers, contrasting his administration’s approach with the previous government’s neglect. “The Government has significantly supported teachers. All teachers are civil servants, and I can confirm that we each received ₦100,000 in December 2023, in addition to our salaries. We have also released ₦250 million to complete a long-standing teachers’ union building project,” he noted.
He highlighted that instructional and educational materials had been funded and that teachers had received overdue promotions and arrears payments. “Teachers, you were not promoted for many years. This Governor came, and you were promoted and paid arrears. Now, let every teacher and parent cooperate to achieve our educational goals,” he urged.
Governor Fubara concluded by assuring that, with collective effort and support, the administration would leave the state’s children a better educational system than they inherited.
During the visit, Boma Watson Allison, State Chairman of the Parents Teachers’ Association, praised Governor Fubara’s achievements and people-centric programs in his first year. He cited several infrastructure projects, including the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road, as notable successes. Allison also highlighted pressing needs such as the recruitment of teachers, payment of school administrators, and further infrastructural development, appealing to the Governor to address these issues.
