The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey Ph D, inspects the ongoing BECE and SS2 Mock Examination in Calabar earlier today.
The Commissioner and his team of Directors arrived Government Technical College Mayne Avenue Calabar South LGA as at 9:00 AM, and the students were already seated for the examination. The Commissioner, went round to note the challenges faced by the students, which includes shortage in examination materials. It was later discovered that the shortages was as a result of the estimated numbers of students that the School Principals submitted to the Ministry. The commissioner, then warned that henceforth, Principals should submit actual numbers of candidates and not estimated number to enable the Ministry print adequate question booklets for the remaining ongoing examination.
In Government Secondary School Barracks road, and MaryGold College Marian Calabar – Municipality, the Commissioner noticed same challenge of inadequate examination question papers. The Principal of MaryGold College, Mr Eleazer Ezeugah, thanked the Commissioner noting that this is the first time a Commissioner is visiting their school and personally inspecting an ongoing examination, he commended the Commissioner for the early conduct of this year’s State Examinations (BECE /SS2 Mock) and the release of previous results upon his assumption in office.
The commissioner debunked the news of questions being copied on the board, as all the challenges has been noted and from tomorrow there will be enough question booklet for every child, the Commissioner immediately summoned all the Examination Desk Officers in Calabar zone to his office for an emergency meeting, and the Examination and Certificate Department has taken note of all the issues.
On the Allegation of Principals
On the allegation of principals collecting # 2500, the Commissioner further warned all the examiners not to demand a dime from anybody, as he also charged parents and students to report such demands to the Ministry of Education and those found culpable will face the wrath of the law.
“Governor Otu’s led administration is determined to transform the Education sector and we must all work together to achieve this collective goal, and I charge all stakeholders to key into our rescue mission mantra. The irregularities noticed will be addressed immediately, as I have also spoken with the Examination Desk Officers across the 18 LGAs and everything is in place for the success of the Exams,” The Commissioner emphasised.
