By Onyekachi Eze
Drawn by the spate of dwindling academic learning in Imo State and with the view to boosting quality education, the member representing Ideato North State Constituency, Rt Hon Arthur Innocent Egwim has moved that all extra-moral study centres in the State be inspected and evaluated.
According to Hon Egwim, the aim is to ensure that only registered and recognized centres operate across the State with the view to living up to academic expectations.
Leading the debate at the floor of the House, yesterday July 8, 2021, Hon Egwim said the motion was geared towards academic excellence among Imo children, especially candidates preparing for examinations.
He said some of the extra-moral study centres operate without license, thereby doing anything at their whims and caprices without recourse to efficiency.
Adding, Egwim disclosed that the children deserve the best, and not going through hell in the name of going for extra-moral classes.
The Ideato North House member added that all unrecognized centres be shut down to avoid quacks parading as teachers.
Hon Ngozi Obiefule who seconded the motion affirmed that the motion stands to be commended following its numerous benefits.
Obiefule who represents Isu State Constituency said that children’s education should be considered paramount, hence the need to checkmate, regulate and evaluate the centres.
Adding, Hon Eddy Obinna submitted that there are many quacks parading as teachers who end up impacting fake knowledge in the children.
“There should be supervision of all these emergency centres for efficiency and productivity”.
The member for Oru East LGA, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri asserted that some even go as far as collecting exorbitant funds from parents and the children, yet they disappoint.
Nwaneri said, “Registering and recognition of centres are very key and relevance”.
Prayers of the motion reads,
“WHEREAS numerous privately owned extra-moral centres now exist in the State, which academic activities and programmes are not properly monitored by the State Ministry of Education.
“WITNESSING that most of such, existing extra-mural study centres have become centres for substandard educational practice, hotbed for Immoral practices, especially, examination malpractices; and money extortion from candidates:
“OBSERVING that most of the centres, due to inadequate, or completely lack of inspection for quality assurance by the Ministry of Education, end up deceiving their patrons by giving them below the standard or doubtful qualitative education that are ruinous to their endeavour;
AWARE that such centres are responsible for creation of the infamous miracle examination centres where all sorts of unholy activities and malpractices occur during SSCE/NECO and other such examinations, by way of negotiated compromise with corrupt examiners and supervisors.”
After a robust debate and contribution from the members, the House led by Speaker Rt Hon Paul Emeziem resolved to urge the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency. Dist Sen. Hope Uzodimma to direct the Honourable Commissioner for Education to cause the Inspectorate/Quality Assurance Department of the Ministry to inspect all the privately owned extra moral study centres in the State for the purpose of:
1. Determining the quality of their service, equipment and modus operandi, in the light of the provided standards;-
2. Registering and recognizing the centre that are qualified and shutting down unqualified ones;
3. Providing operational guidelines- for running of such centres, if none is already in place;
4. Arrest and prosecute offenders with the help of the Security Agencies in the State”
