In the face of delayed and sometimes non-availability of subventions to principals of public schools in Delta State to run minor expenses in their schools, it has been alleged that the Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu has mandated (without option) principals in the state to pay for, or with their money produce the portrait picture of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and that of herself to be displayed in their various offices.
It was learnt that the said project would cost each of the school principals the sum of N40,000 with the attendant consequence of extra financial burden as they strive to keep up with the maintenance of their schools with resumption for the 2023/2024 academic session just begun only a few weeks ago.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Delta State branch, Comrade Jonathan Giama said it was a wrong move by the Education Commissioner if the information is true since neither the various school principals are given subventions nor grants to help run expenses in their various schools.
According to him, already, investigations revealed that many school principals buy whiteboard markers and do some maintenance with the little money gotten from the admission of new learners students (once in a session) which is not even proper as the government’s budget ought to be enough to run the public schools to completely eradicate illiteracy from the country.
He asked, where would the Commissioner expect the principals to generate such money to pay and or embark on such a project?
Comrade Giama explained that it is not out of place for the portrait picture of Governor Oborevwori and that of the Commissioner to be in the principals’ offices but that the financial burden should not be placed on the principals as the Education Ministry has the budget to embark on such a project.
His words: “l condemn it in its entirety if it true that the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu has mandated principals across the state to pay and or use their money to foot such expenses. Where does the Commissioner expect the principals to generate such money and embark on such a project? Is it from their meagre salary or where?, he added.
According to him, what the Education Commissioner should be working on is how to liaise with Governor Oborevwori to see that dilapidated school structures, schools without seats (desks) for students to learn and other facilities lacking in the schools are put in place to create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.
He therefore called on the Education Commissioner to shelve the idea as it is against the principles of equity, fairness and justice adding that the policy does not have a human face.
On his part, the Lead Pastor of Family House Church International, Warri, Delta State, Pastor Emmanuel Osiegbu said he sees no relevance in the picture of the Governor and that of the Commissioner being placed in the offices of the school principals in the state.
Pastor Osiegbu however said if such must be the case, the expenses should be incurred by the Ministry of Secondary Education.
His words: “To me, l don’t see the need for the portrait picture of the Governor and that the Commissioner but if it must be done, the bill should be footed by the Ministry of Education”.
All attempts to reach the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu to get her side of the story were unsuccessful.
