GCU alumni body blame students’ poor performances on sector’s neglect

The low quality of education delivery and the recurring poor learning outcomes witnessed across the country’s have been attributed to the neglect of the education sector by different tiers of governments and stakeholders.

President General Worldwide, Government College Ughelli Old Boys’ Association (GCUOBA), Prof. Oritsegbemi Omatete, who made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Lagos on activities lined up for the forthcoming 2016 National Annual Dinner of the association, urged governments to prioritise education by providing teaching and learning aids that would transform students learning experiences.

Omatete, who recalled that GCU had suffered various degrees of structural degradation due to successive governments’ neglect, noted that the group had to partner with the government to redress the situation.

He said, “In recent years, GCUOBA successfully rehabilitated seven houses including Orerokpe House, which was commissioned in January 2016, provided the Felix Esi ICT centre, with 60 Internet-connected computer sets, in collaboration with Felix Esi Foundation at ExxonMobil, equipped and stocked the science laboratories with equipment and consumables; emergency electrical generators, among others. We have come to realise that conducive learning environment spurs students to greater academic achievements.

He informed that the group plans to provide an e-library for staff and students, rehabilitate the wood and metal workshops in the school, and resuscitate Agbarho and Obiaruku residential hostels.

“We want to ensure that GCU maintains its position as the premium college in Delta State, by reviving discipline in the school and engaging students in athletic activities so as to maintain a healthy mind in a healthy body,” he said.

Omatete, who said the dinner is scheduled for Saturday, October 8, 2016, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also stated that the association would, through the dinner raise funds to carry out, as well as maintain infrastructural development in the college, an exercise, which in the last decade has gulped N200m.