By: Felix Ikpotor
A bill seeking to amend the law setting up the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuluomeni in Rivers Sate has passed second reading in the floor of the state assembly.
The bill known as the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Amendment Bill 2016, which is an executive one seeks to amend some sections of the principal laws.
The sections include the retirement age of professors in the school from the current 65 years to 70 years.
The new bill also seeks to amend the mode of appointment of Vice Chancellors for the school from the current position of the law which stipulates that only a professor of education can head the school to allow for a professor from any discipline to be VC of the school.
Debating on the bill, Leader of the House, Martin Amaewhule said the clause in the principal law which allows only professors of education to be VCs of the school is limiting the progress of the institution and supported the proposal that any qualified professor from any field can head the school.
Similarly, the member representing Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni constituency 1, Christian Ahiakwo said the bill is timely as it will bring development to the school and the state.
He maintained that what the government is about to do is in tandem with what is obtainable elsewhere in the country.
Meanwhile, speaker of the assembly, Dabotorudinma Adams in his ruling committed the bill to the committee on education to handle.
