Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Imo State chapter, Mr. Napoleon Aniche has appealed to the state government to increase the subventions given to public schools in the state for efficient performance.

Aniche who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Owerri, said the subventions currently given to the school were inadequate.

He said that because of the free education programme of the present administration in the state, the school enrolment had increased tremendously.

The chairman said that because of this, the amount given to head teachers and principals was no longer enough to run the schools.

“The amount given is longer enough for local transport fares, provision of chalk, writing materials, organization of inter-house sports competitions, hiring of vehicles for excursion and other activities.

“These are important assignments that must be undertaken for effective management of schools and the funds are not enough.”

According to him, school heads and principals in the state were now compelled to spend their personal resources to run school schools.

The NUT chairman also stressed the need for the improvement of the school infrastructures.

Aniche added: “education is very dynamic; if you have 30 students in a class this year, the number might increase to 40 next year and this requires that you upgrade the facilities.”

“Imo has a total of 764 primary schools and 312 secondary schools and because of the free education policy of Gov. Rochas Okorocha’s administration, the enrolment has increased astronomically.

“This means that more funds have to be invested in the sector.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Okorocha