EDTF, STEB DISTRIBUTES SCIENCE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TO RURAL SECONDARY

The Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) has distributed Science Laboratory Equipment to ten (10) Rural Secondary Schools across the eight Local Government Areas, sponsored by the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF).

The benefitting schools includes Community Secondary School, Odioma, Brass LGA, Community Secondary School Agoro, Ekeremor LGA, Government Secondary School, Ogobiri, Sagbama LGA, Community Secondary School, Zarama, Yenagoa LGA and Community Secondary School, Ikolo, Yenagoa LGA.

Others are Community Secondary School, Ekowe, Southern Ijaw LGA, Community Secondary School, Amassoma, Southern Ijaw LGA, Government Secondary School, Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Community Secondary School, Ayama, Ogbia LGA and Community Secondary School, in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony at the conference room of the Ministry of Education, Yenagoa, the Chairman, Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) Professor Ayebaemi Spiff, expressed appreciation and commended the EDTF for sponsoring the procurement of the science equipment to the schools towards ensuring the provision of quality science education at all levels. According to her, this equipment will provide the needed avenue in solving the challenges as well as to bridge the gap created by the lack of science laboratories in the rural secondary schools with the view to ensuring the provision of quality education to the people. She explained that, through the provision of this equipment, it will tremendously improve the learning and performance of students with the aim of overcoming the challenge of low credit passes in the science subjects on WAEC and other related examination results. Professor Spiff used the opportunity to appeal to the principals of the benefiting schools to ensure the proper security of the equipment as well as put them to positive use. She also praised Governor Douye Diri for his tireless efforts and vision to sustain the EDTF and support the development of education EDTF, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo said, the primary aim for the procurement of the science equipment was to improve the learning of science subjects in the rural schools as well as to attract greater output in their external examination with the view towards enabling the students to impart their scientific knowledge in the state and society at large. Dr. Atuwo equally appealed to the beneficiaries of the equipment, especially, the principals and science teachers, to shun the habit of packing the items in their stores to avoid wastage of resources and degradation of knowledge while urging them to safeguard the equipment and put them in good use to serve the purpose.

In his remark, the Acting Chairman, EDTF, Professor Francis Sikoki, expressed appreciation and commended the Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) for partnering with the EDTF for the delivery of science equipment to ten (10) rural secondary schools. According to him, the mandate of the EDTF was geared towards promoting the development of quality education at all levels, stating that, science and technology was among the critical areas of intervention by the Trust Fund, noting that science and technology are critical tools of innovation for the growth of society. He called on the benefiting schools to put the equipment to effective use despite the challenge to serve the purpose for which it was provided for.

In his remark, the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, who was represented by Mrs. Gially Belema, appreciated the EDTF for their noble gesture in partnering with the Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) towards the delivery of science equipment to improve the teaching and learning of science subjects in the Rural secondary schools. According to the Commissioner, despite the nonchalant attitude of teachers, the provision of the equipment will immensely motivate students to study the sciences and other related subjects to enable them to successfully apply to write the WAEC examinations. The Commissioner urged the benefiting schools, particularly the science teachers, to make effective use of the equipment in advancing the learning of science subjects in the schools, noting that it will equip students with the scientific knowledge to enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts around the globe.

Responding on behalf of the benefiting schools, the Principal, Community Secondary School, Ikolo, Mr. Ebieridei Engeribo, expressed gratitude and appreciated the EDTF and the Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) for their magnanimity towards the delivery of the science equipment to the schools and assured their willingness to put the equipment to effective use