Michael Onwuka, Enugu
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd. has decried the poor performance of schools in the South-East Zonal Finals of the NNPC National Quiz Competition.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC Ltd., Mr Garba Muhammad, disclosed this on Wednesday during the zonal final quiz competition in Enugu.
Muhammad, who was represented by the Manager, Community Impact Investment, NNPC Ltd., Mrs Doris Ohia, said he was disappointed with the performance of the students on parade.
He urged the various state governments in the zone to return to the drawing board and improve the standard of education, especially, science education in their respective states.
“I am not impressed with the performance I saw here. The students are very poor in English Language, Mathematics and Physics and I wonder how they will cope in the national finals.
“The various state ministries of education have a lot to do. They need to go back to the drawing board. Go home after this programme and intensify your efforts,” he said.
Muhammad said that the organisation had as part of its corporate social responsibility made interventions in education over the years.
“This is to encourage Mathematics and Science education in the country,” Muhammad said.
In a goodwill message , the Vice Principal, College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Christopher Agbo, attributed the poor performance of the students to dearth of qualified teachers in the sector.
Agbo said that reading culture was on steady decline due to the erroneous belief that education was not rewarding.
“We do not have good science teachers in our secondary schools. State governments should get the best teachers back to our schools,” he said.
The vice principal commended the NNPC Ltd. for the initiative which he said would encourage students to take their studies seriously.
Also, the Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, said that the performance of the students was an eye-opener and required urgent attention.
Eze, who was represented by the Director of Science Education in the ministry, Mrs Margret Ayogu, however, urged the students not to be demoralised as they prepare for the national finals of the competition.
“We have seen their performance. We have assignments to do and it is my wish for us to scale through at the national level,” Eze said.
Ikengaonline reports that Anambra State took the first position with 55 points.
Imo State came second with 45 points, Ebonyi State came third with 40 points, Enugu State came fourth with 35 points while Abia State came last with 10 points.
The first three states will represent the zone at the national finals in August.
In an interview with Ikengaonline, the Leader of Team Anambra State, Master Caleb Madu, ascribed their performance to hard-work.
Madu, who is a student of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Awka, said that the South-East contingent would make adequate preparations for the national finals in Abuja.
Ikengaonline further reports that each of the participants was given a certificate of participation and cash reward of N100, 000.
