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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Principals in public to 1 schools in Bayelsa State have been charged to see themselves as God’s instrument to instill discipline and not as demigods flouting extant rules and condoning indiscipline from teachers and students in their domain.
Executive chairman of the Bayelsa State Post Primary Schools Board (PPSB), High Chief Millionaire Asangba, gave this charge at the board’s headquarters, at Education House Annex, Ovom-Yenagoa on Tuesday, when the newly elected executive of the state chapter of the Association of Conference of Nigerian Principals of Secondary Schools
(ANCOPSS) paid him a visit on Valentine’s Day.
Chief Asangba lauded the principals for their peaceful elections and tasked them not to think of themselves better than others but as first amongst equals.
The PPSB boss berated principals who exploit surbordinates, as he called on them to always report cases of truancy and other community challenges to the board, describing principals as ‘the eyes and ears of the government” in their various schools.
“I am aware that some principals do not reach out to work with their vice principals or even dispense the little monthly stipends of overheads to them. Some appoint PAs to themselves without delegating duties to their vices when the need arises. This must stop. You must work with your vice principals.
“Always ensure that you report cases in the communities to the board for prompt action. You are the representative of the government in your schools. A situation where things happen in your domain and we at the board headquarters are not informed is not going to be tolerated anymore.
“As you all know the Bayelsa State Government teachers and principals are highly motivated and paid regularly without default, more than their counterparts in private schools who are paid pea nuts. The average teacher goes home with over a hundred thousand Naira as salaries monthly. This is enough to motivate you to put in your best for public schools,” he said.
He read the riot act to the principals while citing an instance in GCSS Okpoama, in Brass LGA, where the NCDMB (also known as Local Content Board) demolished existing classroom blocks already built by the state government, with the intent to build new ones without due consent from the state government and the principal did not deem it fit to report the matter to the board until it was brought to government’s notice.
Chief Asangba assured the leadership of the principal’s association under the aegis of ANCOPSS that government is aware of their challenges of lack of teachers as well as non payment of impress to the newly established schools as the board is working round the clock to assuage these needs.
He noted that a state committee set up by the government for new employment of teachers shall soon come out with its resolutions to take effect, especially with special reference for technical teachers in the sciences and vocational education to be employed sooner than later.
“All my own children are going through public schools. And I want you to take these students and teachers as yours so as be of optimal service to God and to humanity,” Chief Asangba said.
Earlier, the new president of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr Court Ogbosere, appreciated the PPSB chairman, for his presence at the ANCOPSS elective congress earlier this year, as he introduced and declared the loyalty of the new ANCOPSS state executive to work amicably with the board leadership.
While commiserating with the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, over the loss of his 88-year old father, the ANCOPSS president prayed for the repose of his soul and assured the PPSB chairman of ANCOPSS resolve to participate fully at the obsequies when the time and dates are fixed.
Mr Ogbosere highlighted some areas of concern to the principals such as postings, teachers and students discipline, service extension, and synergy with the board on issues of mutual concerns.
The first vice president of ANCOPSS, Dr John Izibefien, hinted of the forthcoming South-South Conference of ANCOPSS to be hosted by Bayelsa State in October 2023, and sought for the board’s co-orperation amongst others.
Highpoint of the visit was the exchange of gifts as traditional token of hospitality and love between the two bodies of ANCOPSS and PPSB to work together in synergy.
In attendance at the ANCOPSS leadership visit to the PPSB Headquarters, were the board member in charge of Supervision, Hon. David Idibiye, and the head of Human Resources Management, Mrs Rosa Koroye.
Others on the ANCOPSS entourage were Doutimi Soroh (Orator), Jombo Woyengipre-Ebi (Assistant Editor); John Saibo Reginald (2nd Vice President); Bebebiafiai Victoria D. (Assistant Secretary), Obiyemie Jack (Secretary); Pogigha Josiah B. (PRO) and Josephine Mbiakpa (Treasurer).
