Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the stark reality of having 75 per cent of primary schools in the state without teachers and 90 per cent of such schools in dilapidated condition is very troubling.
He explained that he became aware of the deplorable state of the primary schools when a firm, New Global, in its bid to partner his administration to enhance the capacity of teachers, performed field assessment of such personnel that they intend to train.
But, the governor said the report from the field was very disappointing because the firm did not find the number of teachers that should be trained, which should have benefitted Rivers children tremendously.
Fubara, who spoke yesterday when the Muslim community in the state, paid him a Sallah visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, emphasised the crucial place that primary school occupies in the educational journey of any child in shaping the character, instilling essential skills, and fostering quest for learning, which, obviously had been ignored in the past.
He, however, assured that his administration, having its focus firmly on education, health and agriculture sectors, will ensure a change in what has been identified.
The governor said, “It will surprise you to note that an agency came to Rivers State. They call them ‘New Global,’ and they were willing to spend $5million. It is not for infrastructure but to train our teachers, to provide softwares and other things to improve the learning process at the primary level.
“I told them to go round and assess the primary schools in the state. After their assessment, you won’t believe it that 75 per cent of our primary schools have no teachers. 90 per cent of the schools are dilapidated.
“So, how will you now put in the $5million. So, when I said education, I really mean education. It’s not education where we renovate schools, and call people for commissioning.
“We are talking about touching what is important, because, for us to develop as a society, for us to get it right from the foundation, it is at the primary school level. If we don’t have that aspect right as a foundation to preparing our youths as the leaders of tomorrow, then, we have lost it.”
Fubara noted that the tertiary health institutions in the state were overstretched because the primary and secondary health facilities are not functional.
He stated that in the coming days, the five zonal hospitals will be revisited so that they can become operational to expand healthcare services available to the people.
The governor said, “The only health facilities that are functional in this State are the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), and maybe, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
“The other aspects of the healthcare system that should be functioning are the primary and secondary healthcare. We have to do everything that is within our power to make sure that they function.
“Now, you see, there is so much pressure because the primary healthcare centres have a limit of what they can attend to. So, the pressure is always with the tertiary institutions, what you call the teaching hospitals.
“We have already taken it upon ourselves, by the special grace of God, in the next one or two weeks, we are going to make sure that we revisit the five zonal hospitals in the state to make sure that they function.
“Now, when they function, they will give support to the primary healthcare centres. A lot of people die because of minor illnesses and unavailability of health centres, not well-equipped with qualified personnel. So, we know it is important.
“It might not be something people are seeing, but those are the key things to development and the things that people need, and to prove that, yes, we have a functional government.”
In his address, leader of the delegation and Vice President-General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, thanked Governor Fubara for his financial support that enabled them to participate in Hajj last year, and his inclusive policy that has given the community a sense of belonging.
Uhor, who assured that the Muslim community will not relent in partnering with the governor and his government, emphasised that they were solidly behind him, and approve of his people-oriented policies and programmes.
