Edith CHUKU
As schools resume for the 2026/2027 Academic Session on Monday, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has issued key directives to Principals, Head Teachers and other education stakeholders.
The commissioner gave the directives at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Directors of the Ministry of Education, Zonal Education Directors, Principals and Head Teachers of all the public schools in the state, on Friday, at the Assembly Hall of Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt.
Nwagor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, said the state recorded remarkable improvement in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
He described the performance as Rivers State’s best result in three years, commending stakeholders for their hard work, sacrifice and commitment, while urging them to sustain the progress and work towards positioning the state among the leading states in educational outcomes in Nigeria.
On the commencement of the new academic session, the Commissioner directed all schools to ensure full preparedness for resumption, particularly in the areas of personnel, learning environment, instructional materials, sanitation, discipline and general organisation.
He reiterated that admissions into Senior Secondary One (SS1) and Senior Secondary Two (SS2) in public secondary schools must strictly follow the official placement list issued and approved by the Ministry.
He warned that any principal who circumvents, manipulates or substitutes the approved placement process would be held personally responsible and liable to disciplinary action.
He stressed that admissions made outside the approved process would be considered null and void.
Nwagor also ordered an immediate end to the issuance of documents purporting to be certificates by head teachers to pupils completing primary education, noting that they do not have the mandate to issue such certificates.
In furtherance of curriculum enrichment and improved preparation for external examinations, he announced the approval of two books for compulsory use by SS2 and SS3 students in public secondary schools.
According to him, the books are Logical Approach and Solutions to SSCE Past Questions in Mathematics – Revised Edition, by Emmanuel Barinorsor Justice, and Life Starts Now! – An Entrepreneurship Development Handbook for Early School Leavers, by Orisa Olowu C.
He directed principals to ensure that the books are procured and effectively utilised in teaching and learning.
On health and student development, the commissioner directed every school in the State to establish functional Malaria, Debate and Quiz Clubs to promote malaria prevention, environmental sanitation, proper hygiene, healthy living, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, confidence and leadership.
He disclosed that the ministry would organise debate and quiz competitions across the 23 local government areas and urged schools to participate actively, noting that the recent success of Team Rivers at the President’s Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship demonstrated the enormous potential of Rivers students.
The Commissioner also announced a total ban on the collection of unauthorised levies in public schools, warning that no Principal, Head Teacher or school administrator should impose or collect any levy without the approval of the appropriate authority, and cautioned that Principals found collecting unauthorised levies would face appropriate sanctions.
Nwagor said the Ministry, through the relevant Department, would monitor compliance with all directives and guidelines, warning that any deviation would be treated seriously. He called on education stakeholders to recommit themselves to discipline, accountability, excellence, integrity, innovation and service, stressing that educational development remains a collective responsibility involving government, school administrators, teachers, parents and education partners.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, to advancing education and developing the human capital required for the sustainable development of the State. He urged all stakeholders to support the policies of the Ministry and work collectively towards achieving greater results in the new academic session.
