The 104 Federal Government Colleges, aka Unity Schools, were established to unify the country through interaction by pupils from various parts of the country. This laudable aim is far from being attained as the schools are evolving into regional based colleges. KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA and CLARICE AZUATALAM report.

MANY parents believe so much in the Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), aka Unity Schools. They do everything possible to get their children into these schools.

The Nation visited FGC Ijanikin, Queen’s College, Yaba, FGC, Enugu, FGC, Jos, FGC, Ikole-Ekiti, FGGC, Efon-Alaye, King’s College, Lagos, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, FGC, Awka, FGGC, Calabar, FGGC, Abuloma, FGC, Umuahia, and FGGC, Ipetumodu, where many of the principals and teachers told our reporters to direct their queries to the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) conducts the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into the 104 single sex and co-educational colleges. Each state is assigned cut-off points based on performance of its candidates in the examination.

The states with the largest number of good scores have higher cut-off points than others.

For instance, while Anambra was assigned a cut-off of 136, Imo, 135, Abia, 128, and Delta, 126;[size=18pt] educationally-disadvantaged states like Kebbi had 35, Jigawa, 33, Taraba, 29, Sokoto, 27 and Yobe, zero[/size].

At the beginning of every session, when new Junior Secondary School (JSS1) and Senior School (SS1) pupils are admitted, principals are bombarded with requests for admission by parents who keep vigil in their offices daily. Many among the parents usually do not understand why their children are not taken on the merit list though they made better scores than others from less performing states.

A parent, who did not want to be named, decried the situation, saying quality was sacrificed on the altar of quota – given that a pupil who scored above 140 was not admitted while candidates from states with zero cut-off point were admitted.

The Principal of King’s College, Lagos, Otunba Dele Olapeju, denied his claim. He said none of the candidates admitted scored zero, rather the colleges admit based on levels of merit.

“What we do in selecting candidates admitted on state and environmental bases is to pick those with the best scores that applied from each state. At King’s College, we admitted three candidates from each state. None of the candidates scored zero. Why Yobe had a cut-off of zero is because if 80 candidates are supposed to be admitted by all the Unity Schools nationwide and only 60 applied, then it means all of them will be admitted so it negates the cut-off,” he said.

He said if merit alone was employed the Unity Schools would not achieve federal character.

“For instance in the last examination out of 6,000 candidates that made the national cut-off, Anambra State had the lion’s share. Between Imo and Anambra, they took a sixth of the national merit. You cannot blame them for being brilliant. However, if all Anambra candidates are admitted there will be no unity colleges,” he said.

Despite all states having slots in each college, pupils no longer travel from all over the country to attend the colleges. Teachers said those admitted from the North into schools in other regions do not honour the admission. In almost all cases, they said those that do, have their parents living or working in the environment.

A teacher at the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Calabar, Cross River State, blamed this trend on the insecurity in the country.

“The problem now is the response. It is not all candidates of students offered admission that accept it. In the past you could have students from all the states, but you cannot get that now because of the situation in the country. Someone in Akwa Ibom State now would not let his children go to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, and vice versa, so that is really a problem.”

It is the same story at the Federal Government College (FGC), Ijanikin, Lagos. The Principal, Mrs Oyewole-Ibukun, said: “What happens is that we don’t usually get candidates from the North in this region. I’m not talking about this school alone but in the entire South, though I don’t know why this is so. But I can tell you I received a candidate from Yobe State who scored 156.”

Rather than reflecting the whole country, the Unity Schools attract pupils mainly from the geo-political zone where they are. For instance, at Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Awka, Anambra State, most of the pupils admitted are from the Southeast; the outsiders, especially from the North or western states are those born in the state.


A teacher at the FSTC, Yaba, Lagos said when quotas of some states are empty, they are filled with pupils from other states.

“Most of them that were registered as northern pupil’s are not actually from the North. Probably, they are northerners by birth but their parents are based here in Lagos. My own children were registered as North’s candidates while they are not just to make up the quota.”

A source at the FGGC Abuloma, Port Harcourt, River State also said if a particular state, say Yobe, is given about 15 slots and at the end only two from that state turn up, the remaining slots would be left for the principal and senior teachers to fill up with their own persons.

“Getting admission through this connection means that money must exchange hands. If the leg of a parent whose child is on merit list is not strong, the child might even be dropped,” the source said.

Another source said a parent was forced to give up his child’s admission because he could not pay the N100,000 demanded by the school authority.

The pressure that teachers face during the admission process is so tough that some principals avoid their offices or bar visitors. A teacher at FGC, Ikole-Ekiti, said teachers generally find it rough during admission period such that those with tendencies for high BP are especially miserable during the season as even candidates with critically low marks demand attention and seek pity.

“When he couldn’t meet up, he had to give up the admission,” the source said.

In terms of the ability of pupils admitted with less-than-excellent scores to cope with the academic demands of the colleges, many of the teachers said they ultimately adapt and even excel.

A teacher at the FGGC, Oyo, said because a candidate comes from an educationally disadvantaged state does not mean he or she would be dull academically.

He said: “Dullness and brilliance are not peculiar to any state or group. Just as we have some pupils from Southwest repeating classes here, so we have them from other regions. The ‘equity of states’ consideration is just to allow the admission process to open access to all qualified candidate irrespective of where they hail from. They always blend. They cope eventually because their mates drive them inadvertently. The environment helps them blend; after a session or two you will hardly notice when they are graduating.”

The ability of children from such backgrounds to improve is also helped by extra efforts by their teachers. A teacher at FGC, Ijanikin said poor pupils are encouraged to improve.

“In this school, we do not believe in advising poor students to withdraw. We (teachers) always take such situation as a challenge and put in our best until such a child improves,” the source said.

Another source at King’s College, Lagos attested to this fact.

He said: “I taught at Queen’s College, Yaba for 15 years and we once had a girl who could not speak a word of English. The principal at that time, asked me to interpret when she asked how she was admitted. The girl said she was just told by her father that she was going to Lagos. The next day, the principal called the head of the English Department and told her that if the school is, indeed, a change agent let this girl be a test case. She mandated the teacher to ensure that the girl became like the rest of the girls by the end of three months, and it was so.”

kaboninc:

Testimony!!!

@baby_mama....I think when you begin to view life from different perspective and also have experiences, you'll know that things which you're so sure are impossible will surprise you.

Things happen!!!

ilugunboy:

I dey look for you since...wetin you cook today? I wan chop..

27.A YEAR OF BLESSINGS FOR CHILDREN OF GOD

39.A YEAR WHERE MANY SORROWS WILL TURN TO JOY
40.A YEAR OF HARVEST OF BREAKTHROUGH

PRAYERS:
1. EVERY COVEN MANIPULATION, SCATTER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
2. IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES, OH LORD, CATAPULT ME TO MEGA SUCCESS.
3. O HEAVENS ARISE, KILL THE ENEMIES OF MY LIFTING.
4. ANOINTING OF FULL RESTORATION, FALL UPON ME, IN JESUS' NAME.
5. EVERY TRAP SET AGAINST MY FEET, CATCH YOUR OWNER, IN JESUS' NAME.
6. LIKE JACOB, SHOW ME THE LADDER OF MY BREAKTHROUGH.
7. EVERY POWER REPORTING MY PROGRESS TO DARKNESS, FALL DOWN AND DIE, IN JESUS' NAME

iya ayi: My husband and I remarried after 9 years divorce!
There was no reason for d divorce, he just abandoned me and our daughter. I never remarried and we hv anoda son together after d remarriage!

saintvc: Just chatted with an elder cousin who is about to be united again with his ex-partner after 7years of divorce. Their marriage lasted 6 years and produced 2 kids.

His reasons were

Family- the kids

Love is strong

time -he has outgrown his childishness. Moreover, time heals wound

I didn't discourage him but for me NOOOOO. I just cant feed on my vomit.

They should go through some intense counseling and talk about what broke the initial marriage
The statistics on divorce after remarriage to an ex or not is higher at this second missionary journey
The same old demons will surely crop up,how will they handle it?
Personally I believe I only have one shot at marriage
This is it
God being my help I will do whatever is within the bounds of sanity to make it work
God forbid that we part ways but if that happens,I am done .it is hard work and I will not do it again
Then to re marry the same person after parting ways? After giving it my all
There will be nothing else to do,it won't work
I will rather enter convent if they will accept me

YoungSalute: @ Baby_mama You should have asked round table with who instead of throwing insults.

Why would I set a round table meeting involving my mum with my woman.
Please, spare me. I have respect and I can't even imagine myself insulting her (my mum)

I asked the house what to do, because I had never experienced or seen my mum react that way, maybe because I never brought girl to the house. Until I left her house.

The best way to deal with family issues is when outside or unrelated families tell you the truth. That's what nairalanders seek to do.

POINT OF CORRECT --- THERE WAS NO MEETING involving MY woman AND my MOTHER.

HOUSE ask questions BEFORE adding to the aforementioned topic

donchris369:

Hahahahaha. Baby the mama!! Take am easy ooo. This op is not matured at all. He should be like 23 or 24 years. When he grows up, he will look back regret all his actions
. Mum and girlfriend in a meeting?

I don't want this to the misunderstood but I can bet my last dime,this poster cannot be an Igbo man
Most Igbo men won't even introduce their girl to their mother unless they have become 100% sure she is the one and there is no way on earth he will be shacking up with the woman on a permanent basis while his mother is under the same roof.
If he is in Lagos shacking up and mama is about to embark on a journey from Onitsha,the woman will go find a temporary abode quick quick and visit from there.

donchris369:

Baby mama I so much like you joor.
This guy needs to tell us how old he is. He is just childish and disrespectfulm mum and girlfriend in a meeting?

YoungSalute: About to have a round table meeting now !

the_ripper:

Nne, leave dat useless tout, wetin u expect from someone wey drink Alomo pass water. He go vex last last commot for Nairaland go commit suicide. Who d hell cares? A tout is always a tout. Onye eberibe.

pDude: If I dare speak my mind on this issue, I would be labelled a bigot and banned for 1week.

So I reserve my comment

MegaMan2020: Afam the conquer has been settling old scores with the Yorubas ever since Seun made him a mod. Banning people left, right, and center. He banned me for an hour just because I called him sensitive and posted evidence that he was a bigot. And now you see why there can never be an Igbo president in Nigeria. Imagine how an Igbo will start looking to settle old scores as soon as get gets in office. That isn't a triablistic statement either, it's just the truth. I know Afam will probably ban me again for saying something about his precious tribe whilst letting his tribesman get away with snide remarks against mine. Disgusting. I know Seun will replace this bigot soon enough. It's just a matter of time.

MegaMan2020:

I should allow a tribalist boigot to run me out? Please, he won't be a mod long enough for me to leave. He will show his tribalistic nature soon enough. Infact i think he already has. Has he banned any igbos for their remarks against Yorubas in various threads? NO! But he's banning non igbos at will. I won't close my mouth whilst a bigot is in charge of this great website.

MegaMan2020:

Seun is just doing this for the Igbo dollar. He knows igbos are a sensitive bunch that can dish it out but can't take it in return. The igbos will come back to Nairaland because Achebe the 2nd is now a mod.

What a way to start a new year
Nna go and drink chilled garri and cool down before you stroke out for nothing sake
Sheesh
Igbo Igbo Yoruba,Yoruba

Igbo dollar? someone is really pained
That dollar sumtin sounds good sha,let God give me my own dollars this new year IJMN

OmolodMilkman93: BTW, I dnt do New Year,...
My stepdad decided to take his kids on a treat,..I jst had to go,...we 1st went to a hotel(ORCHID HOTEL), see crowd, guys and babes sme witout bearing(dey find dates), d pool was ovacrowded. Dad culdnt hve his kids swim der, so na to Pami joint,... Down d road to Anwai and der we drank Pami and chop fresh fish,...d kids dem nearly high(d anger wen dem take no swim na im dem use enta d Pami)

O my world!
Is that a 7 year old kid drinking palmy?
You people want to turn a primary 2 kid into a drunkard before he he could learn to baff sef ?
Lord have mercy

dayokanu: Why Retardeen Jonathan no wear his uniform go? The black sack cloth and cowboy hat

dayokanu: Tell your live in lover to move out pending the time mama moves back to the village

free2ryhme:


in yar duas case he was VP and he was left out in many deliberations at dat time .. Now he is President d way he saw Wada he can repeat same with Chime if Gov chime is Alive

free2ryhme: He shld visit Gov. Sullivan chime of Enugu state and let us see pics

ODUA_NEGRO: i remember kangiwa falling off his horse during a polo tournament and dying from head injuries.

there had been politicians that died out of office and usually in connection with women palava. we have lost 5 sitting head of states - Balewa, Ironsi, Murtala, Abacha, YarAdua.

chime is not sick......they are lying to you. if he was sick how come nobody know hin hospital?

ODUA_NEGRO: that loaf is designed for oven. when you grill you chop it into slabs. for heat penetration. which african you know dey eat beef and suck the blood from hin plate same time? we no get time to fvk around with parkinson like that.

ODUA_NEGRO: babymama,

next time roast that berf over open grill. score the skin and rub seasoning in it and give it some chargrilled flavor.....african style! looks good sha.

are you from enugu?

Ironically, death had a hand in his political growth. Yakowa became deputy governor when the occupant of the office died in 2005. The death of an incumbent president helped him to become the governor. But that same death did not allow Yakowa to complete his tenure in office.

When dayokanu called you a dropout, I thought he was just trying to pass a sly remark at you. You apparently proved you are a certified igbo dropout.

Do you even know the meaning of ''skunk'' before you hit the ban button on me? I mentally weighed your brain, and you are grossly deficient in intellectual matters! FYI, a skunk means: a contemptible person. That is rightly who you are on this section. I hope you even know the meaning of contemptible! A tribalistic goat who has no intellectual capacity to process administrative procedure on this forum. At least, it will add to your CV that you were a moderator even if it only lasted for a day!

In case you do not know, banning does not work on me. Ask from Seun. I am not one who goes about scared of being banned either one hour, or one year! So if you think being a MOD grants you the ultimate privilege to exercise your utter inanity, kindly march on! We would be here to make jest of you when your utter shame is finally exposed on this forum.

I would only suggest to all, to forward their complaints via email to Seun on this forum. The more complaints he gets, the sooner he will realize it was an utter mistake appointing this trigger banning infantile bigot as a MOD.