FG to unbundle unity colleges into basic, secondary schools

The Federal Government has announced its plans to unbundle the 115 Federal Unity Colleges in the country into basic and secondary schools.

Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, disclosed this during the opening of the Annual General Meeting of Principals of Unity Colleges in Abuja on Tuesday.
The theme of the event is ‘Entrepreneurship Education: A Panacea for Self-Reliance and National Development’.
Sununu said that the plan to unbundle the unity colleges was in line with the National Policy on Education (NPE).
The minister said the unbundling of Unity Colleges would among other things attract more funding to improve infrastructure, address teachers’ welfare and create employment opportunities, among others.
He added that the ministry, with the support from relevant agencies of government, would ensure it was achieved in the shortest time possible.

“I want to emphasise the significance of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in our youths, a spirit that will propel them toward self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s development.
“Unemployment remains a pressing concern, and it is our collective responsibility to equip our students with the skills and mindset necessary to succeed.
“Entrepreneurship education offers a solution to this challenge as it prepares students to think creatively, innovatively, and develop the confidence to take calculated risks,” he said.
Sununu called for the collaboration of the principals as critical stakeholders to improve the educational landscape of the schools.
He further urged them to curb social vices, instil the maintenance culture on the students and co-operate with their host communities for the overall security and growth of the Colleges.

Also, the Chairperson, Principals of Federal Unity Schools Colleges, Dr Idowu Akinbamijo, said the meeting was to set the agenda for the coming year and build capacity for the task ahead.

JAMB gives reasons for limiting physical interaction with underaged candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed why it plans to limit physical interaction with underaged candidates.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced on Monday that the move is aimed at preventing extortion and enhancing service delivery.

The development was announced in a bulletin on the JAMB website, with Oloyede elaborating that limiting physical contact would address issues of extortion and exploitation.

“Prof. Oloyede stated that given that many of the candidates who take the UTME are underage, the board is considering limiting physical contact with those with challenges to avoid any alleged issues of extortion and other forms of exploitation.

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“He stated that in due course, interactions would be limited to online ones with calls recorded for effective monitoring and quality control.

“The board had received a series of reports bordering on some unwholesome practices, adding that a team had been deployed to investigate the claims, promising to make the findings known to all.

“He urged students who had accused some JAMB officials and other operatives such as CBT centres of extortion in the name of ‘regularisation’ or other services to provide credible evidence, adding that any staff found culpable would face the full wrath of the law,” the statement reads.

JAMB gives reasons for limiting physical interaction with underaged candidates

Lagos govt says no going back on school boarding fee increase

The Lagos State Government (LASG) says increase in boarding fees in its model colleges is inevitable, to ensure better welfare of the students.

Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, said this in a statement made available on Monday.

Lawal noted that students in the boarding schools were over one percent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the state.

According to Lawal, the N35,000 boarding fees being paid since 2021 is not realistic in 2024.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government approved the upward review of boarding fees payable in all public boarding schools in Lagos State.

The review of boarding fees in all public secondary schools in Lagos State is with effect from 2024/2025 session.

The newly approved fee is N100,000 only and starts from the ongoing session which commenced on September 15, 2024.

“The Ministry is aware of dissenting views by some parents to the inevitable increase in boarding fees in our model colleges.

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“This was not an easy decision, but the welfare of the children is a priority for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Government.

“Since enrolment of a child into a boarding school is an individual choice for every parent, they are expected to pay boarding fees.

“The boarding fee is paid every term and it is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other miscellaneous cost related to keeping them in the hostels per term,” Lawal said.

The ministry official explained that the schools took care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing the students’ meals.

“The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices).

“Also provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees; the state government pays WAEC fees for all public school students.