…Deplores Falling Standard of Education in Agbazilo.
Six hundred students from Esan South-East and Esan North-East has benefited from the 2019 edition of the Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation (SOOF) annual free NECO enrollment for Senior Secondary School students in the area.
Speaking during the presentation of the free NECO enrollment and award of scholarship to undergraduates which held Saturday at Community Secondary School, Ubiaja, President of SOOF and member representing Esan South-East/ Esan North-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Sergius Ogun, deplored the falling standard of education in the old Agbazilo Federal Constituency pointing out that the examinations committee of the foundation has to upgrade the scores of candidates to be able to get 600 students to benefit from the scheme.
“It is important to say that report received from the 2018 Examination Committee is quite disturbing and discouraging. Of the 4000 candidates who sat for the test recently, only 20% passed English and Mathematics at credit levels. Many of the candidates returned empty English- theory scripts to the Examination Committee without making a simple sentence on such scripts.
“To be able to get the 600 candidate approved for NECO, SSCE enrollment in 2019 by my foundation, the Examination Committee had to start upgrading the scores of candidates. This you will agree with me portends grave danger for the educational development of Agbazilo children.”
While calling on both the federal and Edo state governments to declare a state of emergency in education, Hon. Ogun disclosed that he has set machinery in motion to employ twenty teachers to teach in public schools in his constituency assuring that they will resume soon.
The Onojie of Ewatto, His Royal Highness, S. O. Ikhumen, who spoke on behalf of the Enijie at the occasion challenged other elected political office holders to come to the aid of schools without teachers in the area. The royal father urged the students to appreciate the efforts of Hon Ogun by studying hard to pass all their exams.
While thanking Hon Sergius Ogun for the free enrollment and other achievements since his election in 2015, the Onojie of Ewatto appealed to politicians to eschew violence in the 2019 election.
“Brothers should not kill brothers in the 2019 election. We expect our people to enjoy all the good things you’re bringing for them in peace. We pray for the best to emerge,” the royal father said.
In a remark, the Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah- Donli thanked Hon Sergius Ogun for the scholarship and free enrollment as the annual exercise has reduced the incidence of human trafficking in the area.
The DG of NAPTIP who was represented by the Edo state commander of the agency, Barr. Nduka Nwanwennee said Hon Ogun’s free enrollment and scholarship has reduced the number of vulnerable children who are the main targets of human traffickers and child abusers.
Also speaking, the former Minister of Works, Arch. Mike Onolemenen thanked Hon Ogun for the gesture and appealed to the students to make good use of the opportunity the federal lawmaker has availed them.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of NECO enrollment fees of N15,000 to each of the 600 students and presentation of scholarship worth N100,000 to each of the three medical students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma who hail from Agbazilo Federal Constituency.
Honourable Sergius Ogun also gave out a cheque of one million naira to little Roseline Ukpebor who lost her father few years back.
The money which is to be kept in her mother’s bank account as the little girl is still a minor, is to see her through her educational pursuit.
