Group donates multi-million naira intervention equipment to public schools in C’River

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

In its quest to improve the standard of education in Cross River State and address the rot in public schools, the Rotary Club of Calabar has donated multi million naira intervention projects to public schools in the state.

As a result of this, over 1000 pupils/students are now set to benefit from the projects.

Oracle Today reports that the projects range from an ultramodern ICT building at the National Council  For Women Societies Schools at Ediba in Calabar Municipality which has about 400 students.

While the the PCN Primary school along IBB Way in Calabar with a population of 608 students is a beneficiary of an 6 room VIP toilet, two overhead tanks and a motorized borehole with a standby power generator.

The intervention projects are aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for students to learn and also help the state in actualising one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking in Calabar during the inauguration of the projects, the president of the Rotary Club of Calabar Dr. Kajogbola Gbenga said the aim of the projects is to have better students and a better nation.

He said “It is part of being rotary to do these projects because we are a service based organisation and all we do is to render service.

“These projects will help us have better students and a better nation.

“The ICT centre is a demonstration of our areas of focus as covered by the basic education and literacy while the WASH project at PCN Primary school mirrors our intervention as contained in the water, sanitation and hygiene areas of focus”, he said.

He stressed that the ICT lab will help cushion the students lack of basic computer knowledge  while the water project will help mitigate the spread water washed infections.

He said Rotary’s intervention is also borne out of the fact that in this digital age, a child must have basic computer skills and a child that does not know computer no matter how intelligent will fail.

Also speaking, PGD Akabom Enebong, a past district governor said the projects are in line with the aims of Rotary which is serving society, promoting integrity and advancing world peace.

He advised the benefitting schools to take ownership of the projects and properly maintain them.

“The projects by Rotary are in line with our objectives as a service organisation and aimed at securing society, promoting integrity and advancing world peace.

“Take responsibility for it as we hope these projects will help in nurturing qualify children”, he said.

He commended the benefiting schools for the projects saying they would not be possible without their Cooperation.

On his part, Paul Umoh, a director of information at the State Ministry of ICT commended Rotary for the intervention saying it will go a long way in helping the children.

He emphasized that maintenance is key and urged the management of the institution to work with the ICT Unit to ensure the students make maximum use of the ICT centre.

Responding, the Vice President of NCWS Ntoe Ekong Bassey Oqua applauded Rotary for the plans they have for the children.

She said: “We are delighted to witness this and we have nothing to say but thank you.

“The ICT centre is a laudable initiative and we appeal to the teachers to instruct the children properly.

“They should guard the computers very well and ensure that they live up to their live span.

“There is need for the NCWS to come from time to time to see what is going on with the school  and we give you our word that we will do that”, she said.

Joshua Usoro, the principal of NCWS Schools said the teachers struggled to teach the students ICT but the project has come to take away that burden.

“Before now, we struggled to teach the children computer and this project has come to take away that struggle.

“We can teach them now with ease with the 10 systems provided in the center.

“We appreciate the club for this because this is not the first project, we have benefitted classroom blocks, water projects, and our school with over 400 students is like a baby for the club”, he said.

Juliet Patrick, the principal of PCN Primary school, said pupils were crossing the highway to fetch water and that is a thing of the past.

She said the VIP toilets and water projects will improve learning in the school and the school will maintain the projects alongside the PTA.

“We were fetching water from across the road and this endangered the children because they had to cross the highway.

“These projects will improve learning environment because the children will not leave their studies to go and fetch water.

“The project will be maintained by the PTA and the school based management committee  and they will work together in this regard”, she said.

Also responding, Ntoe Ekong Bassey Oqua, the Clan Head of Big Qua thanked Rotary for having good plans for the children of the community.

He said the community is elated that they provided the NCWS land for the school many years ago and they are making the most of it.

On his part, HH Elder Ekong Eta expressed appreciation for the intervention projects at the PCN Primary School.

He tasked the teachers on the proper use and maintenance of the projects.