In a bid to enhance the quality of primary education in Oyo State, the government is set to take action against substandard “mushroom” primary schools.
The announcement came during a meeting held by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Soliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, with various education stakeholders in the state.
In a statement obtained by The Informant247, Prof. Adelabu expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to improving the standard of primary education in Oyo State, emphasizing that substandard primary schools would not be allowed to operate.
During a recent field inspection, the Commissioner expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of some primary schools, leading to the decision to take measures to rectify the situation.
The commissioner also revealed the government intention to work closely with Education Secretaries and Heads of Sections across the state’s 33 local government areas to identify and address issues within the primary education sub-sector. Adding that these efforts will contribute to ensuring a higher quality of education for children in the state.
Additionally, the Commissioner called on all stakeholders to commit themselves to the betterment of public schools and the future of the students under their care.
He urged everyone involved in the education system, including private schools’ owners, to prioritize the quality of education provided.
The Commissioner also mentioned that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, is taking steps to address infrastructural decay in primary schools.
He added that the Governor has given clear instructions to identify schools in urgent need of infrastructural improvements.
Addressing the issue of teacher recruitment, Prof. Adelabu stated that the government is aware of the retiring workforce and the declining staff strength in primary schools.
He assured the public that efforts to recruit more teachers into the basic education sector would be underway by February 2024.
During the meeting, the Coordinating Director of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Mrs. Olaide Ladipo, expressed the board’s commitment to improving public primary schools.
She noted that the recent inspection by the Commissioner for Education, along with the OYOSUBEB management team, helped identify areas that require immediate attention.
Representatives of the Education Secretaries from all 33 local government areas of the state were present at the meeting.
Heads of Sections from various departments, including Standard and Quality Assurance, Schools Services, and Planning Research and Statistics, also attended the gathering.