The Oyo State Government on Tuesday, called on parents in Oriire Local Government Area to stay dedicated to their children’s education, as it stepped up efforts to bring academic activities back to normal and improve education delivery in communities hit by the recent security incident.
This came after students of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, continued to stay away, having not yet returned following the recent abduction in the area.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, made this known during a working visit to rescued learners, teachers and members of the host communities at Ahoro Dada in the local government area.
According to a statement issued in Ibadan by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, Olayiwola met with students, teachers, parents, traditional rulers, security personnel and other stakeholders on ways to guarantee the safe and effective return of learners to school.
The commissioner, who led a team of senior officials from the ministry to the affected communities, raised concern over the level of preparedness he observed and urged staff members to show greater commitment, diligence and efficiency in carrying out their duties.
He said, “At Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, the delegation observed that the school was yet to resume for the new academic session.”
Olayiwola also met with parents and children in the Yawota community, where people voiced concerns “about children who had not returned to school and were instead engaged in skills-acquisition activities during school hours.”
During visits to some of the places where the children were learning various skills, the commissioner urged “parents to remain committed to their children’s education.”
He therefore directed “relevant officials to follow up on the affected learners and facilitate their return to school in order to prevent a further increase in the number of out-of-school children in the state.”
The commissioner also directed “the Director of Basic Education to liaise with the Nigerian Baptist Conference on possible interventions to support the school and prevent its closure, as the institution is a private school owned by the Conference.”
In his response, the traditional ruler, Oba Abisoye, restated the palace’s backing for schools and teachers in the area, noting that accommodation had been arranged for government teachers in the community.
He, however, expressed concern about “the continued use of the Primary Health Centre by military personnel as accommodation,” pointing out that “the development is affecting the activities of medical personnel.” ↻
At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, the commissioner instructed the Tutor General to help arrange the posting of more teachers to the school, following complaints about the shortage of teachers, especially mathematics teachers.
While paying a courtesy visit to the Elesinele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, at his palace, the commissioner requested “the continued support of the traditional institution towards restoring normal educational activities in the community.”
In his response, the traditional ruler, Oba Abisoye, restated the palace’s backing for schools and teachers in the area, noting that accommodation had been arranged for government teachers in the community.
He, however, voiced concern about “the continued use of the Primary Health Centre by military personnel as accommodation,” pointing out that “the development is affecting the activities of medical personnel.”
At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School in Oyo, the commissioner instructed the Tutor General to help arrange the posting of more teachers to the school, following complaints regarding the shortage of teachers, especially mathematics teachers.
The Oyo commissioner also heard an appeal from Parent-Teacher Association teachers who asked to be considered for absorption into the Teaching Service Commission, citing their sustained dedication to the school before, during, and after the security incident.
He instructed the Tutor General to put together a submission on the engagement of interested indigenes of the community who were ready to teach for the Executive Governor of Oyo to consider.
