By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Akwa Ibom state government has expressed satisfaction with the state of preparedness of Schools for students in exit classes to write their exit examinations.
It has also rescheduled the 2019 promotion examinations for civil servants from grade level 07 and above in order to ensure uniformity and fairness in the promotion of workers in the state.
State Commmissioner for Information Barr Ini Ememobong told newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday that adequate provisions have been made to ensure strict supervision and compliance by students to COVID-19 guidelines in Schools.
Ememobong who explained that measures have been out in place to enable the exit students write the examinations in safe environment
however said non compliance by students would not be ruled out because of the difficulty in controlling children.
“Council received from the Honourable Commisioner for Education on the state of preparedness of public schools at the level of reopening and preparedness for WAEC examinations.
“Council directed further that though satisfied with the level of preparedness for resumption, that increased supervision and monitoring be undertaken.
“The children are going to be taking examinations in a condition they have not faced before,therefore Schools and government must be prepared in a way they have not been prepared before.
“Because these children have stayed at home for a period as long as they have never stayed before, therefore the duty of government is to check the COVID-19 preparations because if children contract it some parents will prefer to have their children back at home than go to School to contract the virus.
“So if it is difficult to enforce face mask compliance with adults how much more children who will hug themselves because they have not seen themselves in a long while.” He explained.
The commissioner stated that council approved the cancellation of the 2019 promotion interview conducted for civil servants from garde level 07 and above for greater inclusivity.
“The council received and reviewed the 2019 promotion interview from the head of civil service where civil servants from level 07 and above where interviewed and council decided for greater inclusivity that the head of Service should undertake a fresh interview for these people.
“This interview will ensure that those who missed that opportunity are assessed alongside their contemporaries on the same parameters. It is very critical for equity and inclusivity to enire that this is done so that no one misses anything.
“Council has also directed that the entire process for the interview be concluded before the 1st of October 2020.” He explained.
Additionally it also approved the public private partnership management structure for e-library for optimal utilization and management of the facility.
