After Suspending Principal, Nigerian Government Probes Substandard Meals in Public Boarding Schools
The State Government of Akwa Ibom has initiated an investigation into the condition of boarding facilities in public schools, following a viral video that showed students of Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, Ibiono Ibom, being served substandard meals.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, in a statement issued on Saturday in Uyo, which according to Etiebet, she paid an unscheduled visit to the school after the video surfaced online, sparking widespread outrage over the poor quality of meals provided to students.
As a result, the school’s principal, Dr. Nse Sunday Umoh, has been suspended immediately, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The probe will focus on the state of hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities in the school and 25 other boarding secondary schools across the state.
“Following the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and non-nutritious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school,” she said.
“I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state. This review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities, will be jointly overseen by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board.”
“Following the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and non-nutritious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school,” she said.
“I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state. This review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities, will be jointly overseen by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board.”
Etiebet emphasized that while the state’s free education policy covers tuition fees but not boarding expenses, the welfare and dignity of students in public schools remain a top priority for Governor Umo Eno’s administration. The government has appealed to parents to undertake basic parental responsibilities to support their children in secondary schools.
“We appeal to parents who have already been greatly relieved of the burden of tuition fees to undertake basic parental responsibilities to support their children in secondary schools.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising the standard of education and ensuring public school facilities meet acceptable standards. The government is determined to ensure that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff.
“The government is determined to ensure that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff,” she said.
The investigation is ongoing, and the administration has appealed for patience from the public, reiterating its commitment to delivering quality education under the ARISE Agenda.