Ibadan – Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde has inaugurated governing boards for all 643 secondary schools in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony in Ibadan, Makinde said that the boards will help reinforce his administration’s achievements in the education sector.
He also stated that all the policies introduced by his government in the education sector have been yielding positive results.
A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa said Makinde was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun.
The event was held on Monday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan
The statement quoted Makinde as saying that the policies of his administration have also brought about the qualitative and sound education system currently being witnessed in the state.
According to him, such policies have led to improved access to quality education as evident in the drastic reduction in the number of out of school children and enrolment explosion in public schools as well as improvement in learning outcomes, among others.
The governor, who stated that the government is embarking on the inauguration of the boards as a broad-based participatory management structure in the schools, saying it is another way of of attracting alternative funding sources for education in the state.
He added that it would also ensure prudence and transparency in the utilisation of available resources for maximum impact.
“It is a great honour to stand here before you today as we inaugurate the distinguished members of the Oyo State Schools Governing Boards for all the 643 secondary schools in our dear Pacesetter State.
“You will recall that at the inception of this administration in 2019, we expressed our desire not only to improve the quality of education available in the state, but also to make it easily accessible to all, irrespective of social background.
“We also made it known that we shall require and encourage greater involvement of willing and interested public and private sector stakeholders in the joint management of our schools.
“I am happy to inform you that all policies we have instituted to improve access to quality education have been yielding great dividends.
“How else shall we interpret enrolment explosion in our public schools and improved learning outcomes than that confidence is gradually being restored in public education.
“To reinforce the benefits of our reform policies, there is the need to ensure that the management of our public schools is sufficiently conditioned to administer the delivery of even more accessible quality education for the development of the state,” he said.
According to Makinde, the administration has been presiding over a focused, prudent and responsible management of resources for the benefits of Oyo State people.
The governor added that all sectors in the state, including infrastructure, health, security and sport developments have benefited immensely from his administration’s prudent management of resources.
He encouraged members of the governing boards to see their appointments as a call to service, urging them to see the assignment as a way of giving back to the community that made them and an avenue to contribute their quota to the development of Oyo State.
He noted that with the wealth of experience of the members, the state is reassured of more improvements in the education sector.
“Apart from making education totally free, recruiting teachers and supplying furniture to schools, our government has recorded many giant strides in the education sector the mention of which time will not permit here today.
“Suffice it to say that despite all the laudable achievements, we are not resting on our oars for there is still a lot to be done.
“With your continued support, we are confident we will achieve the Oyo State of our dream,” the governor said.
Makinde admonished the Chairmen and Secretaries to work together in harmony and ensure that all actions taken by the various stakeholders serve a common goal: the good of the students and the system.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, listed some of the achievements of the administration in the education sector to include procurement of furniture for students, appointment of 5,000 teachers and 700 education officers, purchase of science equipment.
He also mentioned the sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University, organisation of intervention classes for graduating SSCE students, purchase of textbooks and notebooks for students across the state, construction of over 50 model classroom buildings, among others as some of the achievements.
He lauded the governor for giving approval to the retention of the school governing boards, urging
chairmen and secretaries to work together harmoniously and selflessly to achieve a total turnaround of the schools (vitalnews)
