Abuja — Until about two years ago, secondary school teachers in Akwa Ibom state organised extra lessons for their students for a fee. In August 2008, the Governor Godswill Akpabio administration introduced a free, compulsory education programme that abolished all fees in any guise.

For many schools, that marked the end of extra lessons. But not so for 19 schools in the Eket Federal Constituency, where Senior School students have been benefiting from the Mobil Employee Voluntary Education Programme (MEVEP) since 2004.

Under the programmme, employees of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and their spouses volunteered to teach and mentor students in the selected schools, three times a week, from 4pm to 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays, except on public holidays; as well as 9am to 3pm on Saturdays, where free transportation and lunch are provided.

The 19 schools were grouped into five centres, depending on their proximity, and covered by a total of 51 teachers, including 10 employee volunteers, 11 NYSC volunteers, 29 teacher volunteers and one community volunteer (wife of an employee).

The students are taught English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemisty, Physics, Agricultural Science, Economics and Government. The aim is to ensure efficiency and optimum performance of the students and prepare them for national public examinations, organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations council (NECO) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The extra curricula activities are also expected to boost the students' confidence, so they can write their examination without resorting to malpractices.

An Open House was held at one of the five centres, Government Secondary School, Afaha Esit, last Saturday to review the programme and honour those who had contributed to its success and sustainability so far.

Principal of the Girls' High School, Ikot Ibio, Mrs. Grace Isine, who chaired the event commended Mobil and the volunteers for the numerous sacrifices they had made.

She described the company as "a very good neighbour that had the foresight to start the programme, long before education became free in Akwa Ibom State." She also noted its other support in the provision of infrastructure, such as classrooms, school halls, etc; extra-curricular activities like the STAN/NNPC/Mobil National Science Quiz, the School's Challenge in Akwa Ibom State, Track and Field events, as well the drama contest among schools.

She expressed regret that even with the help of teachers, students were no longer willing to learn. What with the lure of viewing centres nationwide, among other distractions.

It was therefore even more regrettable that teachers in the state stopped holding the extra lessons because their students could no longer pay for them due to free education. She urged the teachers to emulate those in her school, who still run the extra lessons for free saying, "If others can do it for free, why can't we?"

She however appealed to Mobil to extend the bus service to week days so as to encourage students in the boarding house, especially girls, to attend the MEVEP lessons.

Students from the various schools made very impressive presentations at the well-attended event, drawing loud applause from the guests. There were dances, dramas and a talk show.

In her progress report, General Manager of Joroll Integrated Services, the programme consultants, Mrs. Edemekong Udoh said 1, 891 students were currently enrolled in the programme. Although 19 schools were selected, students from some of the schools that were not selected also attended in the period under review, bringing the number to 30.

Some of the challenges she noted were irregular attendance by employee teachers, fluctuation in students' attendance during holidays, need for facilities for science practical to complement the theory lessons and lack of audio visual aids to facilitate learning.

She therefore recommended that all volunteers should complete the syllabus and have time to revise them with the students. Parents should monitor their wards and encourage them to attend the MEVEP lessons and students should utilize the opportunities offered by Mobil in their academic pursuit.

When the floor was thrown open, the participants variously requested, at least a day of science practical lesson, more sensitisation of parents to ensure that their children attend the classes, and schools should avoid clashes between their activities and the hours of MEVEP lectures, among others. There was also a call on government to improve the education system so that children can learn to develop themselves to create and not look for jobs.

In her remark, Mobil's Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Mrs. Rita Umoren said the activities were quite impressive as the students showed that they were receiving well-rounded education. According to her, the ability to express one's self is a key requirement for moving ahead.

Umoren said the key word in MEVEP was 'volunteering'. She thanked all stakeholders, including Mobil that had the idea, its employees that bought into it and other volunteers. "Everyone has sacrificed. We need to continue with that volunteer spirit", she said.

She also responded to the requests made on the floor, saying her company will continue to engage its various stakeholders. She called on the students to sell the programme to their parents and everyone to others as more volunteers were welcome.

A quiz competition was held among all the centres, with 10 students selected from each centre. Continuous Assessment tests were also conducted among all the students in five centres. Their teachers were also assessed for punctuality and dedication to duty. All these were rewarded to round off the events.

Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board, Obong Ime Isine remarked that through MEVEP, "the performance of our students has greatly improved. Mobil is a very responsible corporate organisation."