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Kaduna state govt declares circular on school fees payment ‘invalid’, orders refund

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The Kaduna government has declared as “invalid”, a recent circular by its ministry of education on payment of school fees by students of senior secondary schools.

Muyiwa Adekeye, special adviser on media and communication to the governor, announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.

A circular recently issued by the ministry of education had directed heads of senior secondary schools to collect “nominal fees” from students.

But the government declared the circular invalid, adding that it is committed to ensuring free 12-year education for children in the state.

The government had earlier established a policy allowing children in primary, secondary, technical, and vocational schools to enjoy free education for 12 years.

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, who chaired the executive council meeting during which the circular was invalidated, said the free education policy is a legacy and reflects “the government’s abiding belief in promoting equality to opportunity and expanding access to education as a lever of social mobility”.

“Executive council stated that the Kaduna state government will continue to faithfully implement the free senior secondary education policy and to discharge the primary responsibility for its public schools,” the statement reads.

“The council recalled that in 2015, the government explicitly banned payment of PTA fees and other levies in public schools in order to ensure that the free education policy actually delivers education without burdening parents with hidden fees or levies.

“Therefore, the council observed that the circular issued by the ministry of education to school principals on collection of nominal fees is not consistent with government policy, and is thus invalid.

“The circular from the ministry of education to the heads of schools, dated 1st November 2022, is therefore rescinded with immediate effect, and all monies that may have been collected should be refunded forthwith.

“With careful implementation since 2015, this policy guarantees every child access to education from the first year of primary school to the completion of the final year of senior secondary school or technical/vocational school.

“KDSG’s deep conviction that government has an obligation to provide free education up to senior secondary level or its equivalent has been expressed in legal provisions that make it compulsory for every child to go to school for 12 uninterrupted years, since the financial obstacle represented by school fees has been removed.”

Education

LAUTECH introduces Mass Communication, five other degree programmes

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The acting Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Prof Razaq Kalilu, has announced the introduction of an additional six new degree programmes for the institution.

Kalilu made this known while addressing the congregation at the grand finale of the 16th convocation ceremony of the university, held inside the Great Hall of the institution in Ogbomoso on Tuesday.

He stressed that the academic outlook of the institution was rapidly changing in its bid to fulfil the mandate of the university and the vision of its Visitor, Governor Seyi Makinde.

The VC said, “A year ago, the university established the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with four academic programmes. This year, we have introduced six additional new degree programmes into that Faculty namely Psychology, Mass Communication, Linguistics, Yoruba, Theatre Arts, and Political Science. A Faculty of Law has also been established to run a degree programme in law.

“All the seven newly introduced programmes have recently gone through Resource Verification, in March this year towards the National Universities Commission’s approval. We hope to admit students for these programmes in this current academic session as soon as we receive the clearance from the NUC.” He stated.

In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Prof Ayodeji Omole charged the graduands to be good ambassadors for the university.

“As you receive your degrees, remember that you are not just graduates of LAUTECH, but ambassadors of knowledge, integrity, excellence, service and progress, all that your university stands for. Carry the torch of learning with pride and let your actions speak volumes about the calibre of education you have received.” Omole advised.

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Education

UNN suspends, probes lecturer attempting to sexually assault female student

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The University of Nigeria (UNN) has suspended a lecturer identified as Mfonobong Udoudom over what it described as an “inappropriate affair” with a student.

On Tuesday, the senior lecturer of General Studies is seen in viral videos pacing back and forth in his office, visibly panicked, and clothed in his underpants.

Sources at the university had told TheCable that the lecturer was “caught pants down attempting to have sex with a married female student of the school”.

The sources alleged that Udoudom had long been in the practice of only “passing female students after sleeping with them”.

It was alleged that he made a female student understand she wouldn’t pass his course unless she submitted herself for sexual intercourse with him.

One of the sources who spoke to newsmen on the condition of anonymity said the female student planned with her husband to entrap the lecturer while working with UNN security and other students.

The student source further said the security agents forcefully broke into his office and caught the lecturer “in action”.

“It was planned out with her husband and security agents in the school. The female was made to approach the lecturer to offer him money in order to scale through his course. He refused and insisted he needed to have sexual intercourse with her in his office,” the source said.

“When the lady succumbed to his demands and asked him to undress, he was caught wearing only boxers.”

In the now-viral footage, a witness is heard saying: “We have been following this case from day one. We have all the chats, voice notes, video calls, and every conversation he had with the female student”.

When contacted, the UNN management told TheCable that Udoudom has now been suspended.

Okwun Omeaku, UNN’s acting media spokesperson, said the senior lecturer will be made to face the staff disciplinary panel.

“The indefinite suspension is with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel constituted by the university to investigate the incident,” he said.

“UNN has a zero tolerance for sexual misconducts involving our staff and students.

“We are committed to protecting our students from any form of abuse and exploitation. The university management will not hesitate to punish Mr. Mfonobong David Udoudom according to our rules if he is found guilty.”

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Education

Lead British International School probes viral video of student bullied

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The management of Lead British International School, Abuja says it has begun investigation into the viral video showing one of its students being slapped repeatedly by her classmate.

The school said it was deeply concerned by incident and was taking the matter seriously.

LBIS is rated as one of the most expensive schools in Nigeria with an annual school fee of N1.5 million annually according to Legit News.

An X user, @moooyeeeee, had on Monday night posted two videos of a female student of the school being repeatedly slapped by another female classmates.

The user called for justice for the victim.

Since they were posted, the videos have drawn the wrath of many users of the microblogging platform who condemned the incident and called for the school authorities to investigate and punish the culprits.

One of those that reacted posted a screenshot where it was alleged the school has been treating bullying, which it said has been reoccurring, with kid gloves.

The untitled screenshot cited the case of another student who cut his classmate with knife but was only suspended for two days.

Reacting to the allegations in a statement on Tuesday and signed by Head of School, Abuja, Abraham Ogunkanbi, the school said that it has initiated a panel of inquiry that has started working on all evidences to get the full scope of the incident.

“We will be working with the perpetrators and their families, offering counselling and disciplinary measures to address their behaviour which has no place in society.

“We have also immediately initiated an investigation, appointing a dedicated team to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter, The team has been gathering information, including reviewing video footages and interviewing witnesses, to understand the full scope of the incident and identify the immediate and remote causes,” the statement posted on LBIS, Abuja Instagram’s page read.

Also, the school assured all of reaching out to the parents of the victim and offering her support while vowing to punish the culprits.

“We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students.

“Hence, upon learning of the incident which, we initiated the process of reaching out to the victimand family with a view to providing support, including access to counseling services to help.

“Additionally, we will be working with the perpetrators and their families, offering counselling and disciplinary measures to address their behaviour which has no place in society,” the statement added.

To forestall future occurrence, the management said it would review its extent Anti-Bullying policies while also promising to raise bullying awareness amongst its students and staff.

“In line with our commitment to preventing bullying and ensuring a safe school environment, we will be reviewing and updating our extant Anti-Bullying Policies and procedures to determine
areas requiring improvement, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.

“LBIS will also be implementing educational programmes and workshops for students, staff, and parents to raise awareness about bullying and its consequences,” it stated.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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