Centre for Human Rights, Heath, Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD) was represented by Mr. Dandyson Harry Dandyson at the advocacy meeting with the Executive chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board meeting. Present in the meeting was Miss Evelyn Williams who is the Rivers State leader of Connected Development (CODE) and also the CDC chairman representing Ahoada West Local Government Area.
Mrs. Evelyn Williams talked about the Connected Development (CODE). Connected Development is a non-governmental organization that is implementing a project here in Rivers State funded by Ford foundation. She talked about the implementation being carried out in the local government area, especially in the education sector. The dilapidated state of public schools where students are learning without desks and chairs, under leaking roofs and conducive environment. These issues call for the urgent intervention from the government.
Mr. Dandyson Harry Dandyson highlighted some basic recommendations like the state and local government should organize an educational summit in partnership with private industries, addressing of personnel in the educational sector, he also stated that the state government as well as the local government should explore other means to collaborate with communities, cooperate entities most especially the oil producing communities.
The Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Ven. Fyneface Akah addressed the issue raised by Connected Development (CODE) about the education sector in the state. He stated that there should be a formal request to the government and it is expected that the head of the school, the CDC chairman and the community leaders should write to communicate to them with photographs, they should also state the reasons why they want a new school structure or repair the dilapidated once. Hon. Dr. Elvis further said that they are ready to partner with the NGOs, he rounded up his speech by saying that other private bodies who are interested in the educational sector should collaborate with the government and also with an assurance that by next year the board will be visiting communities that has followed up with a human face project.
