By Amos Okioma
The Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education (SUPEB), Comrade Walton Liverpool, has given commendation to the Bayelsa State government for closing of schools for three weeks due to the flood that affected most public schools especially those in the riverine areas of the state, just as he pleaded for an extension of additional weeks so that the water could recede completely.
Liverpoo, who spoke to journalists in Yenagoa, pointed out that there was the need for the extension, stressing that it depended on government and ministry of education.
According to him, the water should completely receded before the re-opening of schools, stressing that flood damaged a lot of furniture, books and documents.
“All these will require supply of furniture to replace them and the areas affected required fumigation to deter snakes and reptiles attacks.
“During the 2012 flood the state governor released some money for the fumigation and sundry matters. It is my hope and believe that he graciously make provisions for the mitigation of affected schools,” he said.
On shortage of teachers, he agreed that there was acute shortage because some of them were affected by the reforms as a result some were either sacked or retired based on revelation of forged certificates, age falsification and other startling revelations from the public service reforms.
“So we require employment of teachers. No major employment of teachers has taken place since the creation of Bayelsa State,” he said.
