The West African Examination Council has blacklisted a number of secondary schools in Abia State from participating in the regional body’s exams over involvement in examination malpractice.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Education Professor Uche Eme Uche, during a chat with newsmen in Umuahia
She noted that the state had just been informed by the exam body about the development.
Meanwhile, she did not disclose the affected schools, saying that they were mostly private schools.
While condemning any act capable of damaging the reputation of the state, the Commissioner stated that the operational licences of the affected schools would be withdrawn as a deterrent to others.
Uche stressed that the state supported the action by WAEC as it would help halt the bastardization and lowering of academic standards in schools by some dubious operators.
She pointed out that the state had previously shut down some of the affected schools due to their unwholesome practices, bemoaning that instead of heeding the warnings, they continued to cut corners.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, had earlier noted that Governor Otti had approved the immediate renovation of 170 primary and 51 public secondary schools across the state.
He disclosed that 10 primary and three secondary schools would be selected from each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.
Kanu said the renovation is to give a facelift to public schools in the state and make them conducive and attractive for learning.
He made it clear that this was in addition to the six model schools currently being established in the three senatorial districts.
Kanu stated further that the governor had also approved the disbursement of N62 million in bursaries to Abia law undergraduates in different tertiary institutions across the country.
He said this was to assist them following the increase in their fees and cost of training amid the biting economic hardship.
Speaking on the schools’ renovation, the Commissioner for Education disclosed that each of the benefiting schools would have staff quarters, a Head teacher’ house, and a caretaker’s house to ensure water-tight security of the school property.
She said the gesture is a demonstration of the high premium that the Otti-led administration attaches to education as the cornerstone of any society.
She said that the state government had resolved to revive and promote education in the state, adding that the renovation will be done in phases until all public schools in the state are remodeled.
