Education

Nadhim Zahawi: I Will Not Stand Back And See Schools Close

Nadhim Zahawi: I will not stand back and see schools close

The new Education Secretary has said he will not “stand back” and allow pupils to miss school as a result of Covid, as he encouraged children to get the vaccine.

Setting out his priorities for the first time in his new role, Nadhim Zahawi said that as a parent he has seen how “damaging” it can be for children to be out of education and the “great strain” it can put on family life.

Mr Zahawi, who was appointed Education Secretary earlier this month after Gavin Williamson was sacked in a Cabinet re-shuffle, said that almost every state school is now open and operating normally.

He cited the latest official attendance figures, which showed that 122,500 pupils were off school last week compared to a peak of more than a million in July when entire “bubbles” were sent home when a child tested positive.

‘We won’t stand back and let attendance fall’
“While the latest attendance figures show more than 91 per cent of children are in school, we must do everything we can to keep as many in face-to-face learning as possible,” he said.

“We can’t and won’t stand back and let attendance fall. The education of our children is simply too important.”

Mr Zahawi’s comments will be seen as a signal that he is willing to stand up to the unions which have repeatedly called for schools to close during the pandemic.

His predecessor was accused of being too soft on teaching unions and failing to get children back to the classroom quickly enough following the first national lockdown, then presiding over the controversial “bubbles” policy which at its height saw over a million pupils forced to stay at home after a classmate tested positive.

Mr Zahawi said that the swift rollout of the Covid jab among adults, which he oversaw in his previous role as vaccines minister, had led to the safe reopening of society and the economy.

“As a result, life has returned to relative normality far sooner than many of us dared to imagine,” he said.

“Now, in my new job as the Prime Minister’s Education Secretary, I’m determined to see the same sense of urgency and vigour we’ve witnessed throughout our vaccination programme as we offer the vaccine to children aged 12 and above.”

Mr Zahawi said that no child is being “forced” to have the vaccine, adding: “It is a personal medical choice for children and parents or carers to discuss and we trust them to do so – and no one should be stigmatised for their decision.”

‘Being vaccinated is personal medical choice’
But, he stressed: “Let’s be clear. Being vaccinated is a good thing, both for you and for those around you.”

The Education Secretary accused anti-vaccine protesters outside schools of behaving in an “outrageous and completely unacceptable” manner.

“Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to target teachers or the wider school community,” he said.

“As Education Secretary, I want teachers and students to know that I will always stand up for them and tackle any harassment head on, so teachers can do their vital jobs safely and children get the education they deserve – regardless of whatever choice children and their parents make over vaccination.”

The vaccine roll-out in schools began last week after the UK’s chief medical officers said offering a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab to around three million pupils would “reduce educational disruption”.

The move came despite the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation deciding not to recommend the mass vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds, as it concluded the jab would provide only a marginal benefit to that cohort, which is at a low risk from the virus.

Education

Govt sanctions school for selling position of Head Prefect during election

The Anambra State Government has imposed a one-month sanction on Blossom Fount School, Awka, for allegedly selling the position of head prefect during a student election.

This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.

According to the commissioner, the school reportedly demanded N5,000 from each pupil aspiring to become head prefect in the primary section.

Chuma-Udeh condemned the act, describing it as an attempt to “sell the psyche of the children to the highest bidder from the cradle.”

According to her, such practices are unacceptable under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

She said that an investigation was ongoing to examine the school’s broader management practices, with the possibility of further actions based on the findings.

Education

JAMB releases 2025 UTME results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Friday announced the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.

The board disclosed that it is withholding the results of 39,834 candidates over issues relating to examination irregularities.

Recall that over 1.9 million applicants participated in the just-concluded exercise.

JAMB also disclosed that 80 suspects across the country are currently under interrogation for examination fraud, with Anambra State leading the pack with 14 suspects.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Friday while officially releasing the 2025 UTME.

He also disclosed that while 467 underage candidates met the prescribed minimum score, 50 were engaged in cheating scandal.

Education

DESOPADEC unveils 2024/ 2025 bursary scheme for students in mandate areas

The Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, on Thursday May 8th, 2025 launched the official portal for 2024/2025 students’ bursary scheme to enable indigent students across her mandate areas to apply, beginning from today 8th to 29th of May, 2025.

The Executive Director, Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor who launched the 2024/2025 bursary scheme on behalf of the Commission stated that, “This initiative of the Board underscores our collective commitment to education, human capital development and sustainable growth in the oil bearing communities. It is more than a mere financial aid; it’s an investment in human capital, community development and future leadership.”

Chief Izoukumor noted that the need to support the student community cannot be over emphasized, recognizing the financial challenges many students and parents go through in the face of daunting economic challenges in our nation. Hence, the Board ably led by Chief Barr. John Nani and MD/CEO Chief Festus Ochonogor unanimously agreed to embark on this program to bring succor to our people.

Chief Izoukumor further stated that the DESOPADEC Bursary scheme serves as a catalyst for hope, academic excellence and community transformation, stating therefore that “The 2024/2025 DESOPADEC Bursary is a stimulus to advancing educational excellence and encouraging higher enrollment in tertiary institutions, reducing dropout rates amongst students and enabling students to focus on their studies without the burden of financial stress. It is on this note that the Commission has graciously asked all students to apply within the stipulated time frame.”

The portal will be opened from May 8th to May 29th, 2025 for applicants who must be indigenes of the oil producing communities/areas of Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ika and Ndokwa nationalities; Full time undergraduates in any Nigerian University or Polytechnic; must be in 200 level or above at the time of application and Not a part time, Pre- degree or postgraduate student.

Required Documents to be uploaded in JPEG format and which should not be more than 8MB per file include Recent passport photograph; Valid student ID card; Official admission letter; Letter of Identification from oil Producing Nationalities Students Union; NIN slip (National identity Number) and Certificate of local government of origin.

To apply, all students must create an account on the DESOPADEC Bursary portal; Enter personal details; Provide institution and bank details for disbursement; Upload required documents (JPEG only); Save progress and return later if need be and Review all information before final submission.

Reiterating DESOPADEC ‘s commitment to fostering educational growth and sustainable development in Delta State, Chief Izoukumor urged all eligible students to apply promptly and ensure their submission meets the specific requirements and enjoined all applicants to visit DESOPADEC website or contact Social Services Directorate at https://Www.desopadecbursary.com.ng.

Speaking at the event, the National President of Urhobo ethnic nationality, Comrade Onagba O. Freedom along side Presidents of ethnic nationalities in the Commission’s mandate areas who were on ground to witness the official launch, thanked the Board and State Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori for the gesture of giving the students’ community a leap in their educational pursuit in the face of dwindling economic resources in the State.

“We assure you of our continuous support and commitment to adhering to policies and programs of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori.

Present at the official launch were the Head of Department, Social Services, Mr. Jude Azosibe Elaye; Mrs. Theresa Ogboriaphien, Divisional Head, Youths and Sports; Mr. Ezekiel Ikporikpo and
Mr. Monday Itoghen of the Social Services Directorate of the Commission and aides of the Executive Director, Social Services.

Also in attendance were Comrade Emmanuel Ifeanyi Chukwuji, Ndokwa; Comrade Aweh Nanasentei Johnson Ijaw; Ifeanyi Godsent Ebubechukwu Ika; Efedhoma Shelly, Isoko and Eyitweremi Amajuoritse, Itsekiri ethnic nationalities.