Education
Makinde grants approval for recruitment of teachers
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, announced that he has given approval for the recruitment of teachers into the State’s teaching service, noting that his government is re-engineering the education for “long-lasting positive results.”
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor stated this while speaking at the commissioning of a N50 million multipurpose hall donated to the Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Ilora, by an old student, Mr. Remi Oyekola.
The statement also quoted the Governor as indicating that the state government has not scrapped the School Governing Boards (SGBs) which manages the secondary schools.
Makinde also stated that he has approved running grants to schools adding that the funds must be lodged in the existing SGB Account of each school.
“The operational guidelines for the School Governing Boards, including the already established financial template and procedures must be strictly adhered to,” the Governor said, adding that any school without an existing School Governing Board should report to the Director of Schools, Ministry of Education not later noon of Friday, October 25, 2019.
He said Government has put in place a policy of free education and no principal should compel any student to pay any illegal fee, even the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) is voluntary.
He also warned those who were hell-bent on sabotaging his Government’s education policies by destroying school properties through arson and burglary and those extorting students to desist from such path or face the full wrath of the law.
He maintained that no matter the amount of threats and blackmail by opponents of his free education policy would deter his government from providing free and qualitative education.
He said: “Any parent that wants to contribute to the school where his/her ward is attending can do so, it’s fine. But what we met on ground was huge fraud. There was no accountability. Even, as early as the day before yesterday, they said some people were still requesting for payment of N2,000 for the running grants we want to give to schools.
“Actually, I may not be right all the time but I will still investigate. But I am 100 per cent sure that I am right and I said to them that if they collect the money, I will jail the people in charge. The situation we are with the education of our children in Oyo State can be likened to a popular saying that goes thus: ‘a child that says his mother will not sleep, will equally not be allowed to rest’. We won’t allow anybody to sabotage our education policy.”
Governor Makinde commended the donor of the building, Mr. Oyekola, who in his speech had said that he embarked on the project to give back to the society and to honour his mother who toiled for his education.
The Governor announced that he had given approval for recruitment of teachers in order to address the challenge of shortage of teachers, especially following the influx of students to public schools in the state.
He said: “I can assure you that we are on top of the matter. As I speak to you, the process of teacher recruitment has begun. The next thing you will see is the result. We are determined to put an end to the recurring problem of shortage of teachers in Oyo State public schools. And so help us God, it will be done.
“Attending events like these restores my faith in systems. As an engineer, I am a firm believer in systems. If something is not working the way it should, it means it has not been engineered correctly. And so there is a need to have another look at the system to identify what is amiss.
“We all know that education in Oyo State has experienced many systemic failures. As an administration, we are focused on dealing with these failures by re-engineering processes. The thing is, reengineering processes takes longer than patching it up.
“Politicians like patching things up because it looks good for the cameras. Also, the people want to see things happening. It is definitely good to see things happening. But it is better to reengineer the process while doing things that people can see.”
Governor Makinde further admonished individuals in the State to always give back to their alma mater by partnering with Government, as it could not handle the task of building infrastructure and other responsibilities in the education sector alone.
He said: “The old students of every school are a big part of the education system. After they leave and make something of themselves, either as individuals or as groups, they are obligated to come back and give something back to their school, no matter how small.
“I have often said that Government alone cannot fund education. I have always believed this. I have spoken fondly about my time at Bishop Philips Academy and how I took the first one million Naira I made as a business person back to my Alma Mater. After we passed through the school and have gone on to make something out of our lives, we were obligated to come back to give back to our school. All the blocks you have renovated is validating the point that the government alone cannot do it. We have to work together because, quite frankly, these children are our future. So, whatever we invest in them today is what we will reap tomorrow.”
Governor Makinde, who maintained that his Government had been able to create an enabling atmosphere that is now making parents jostle to secure the transfer of their wards into public schools, said the administration has taken note of the resultant effects of the transfer such as the increased pressure of facilities and the shortage of teachers and that it was ready to address the challenges.
“To effectively resolve the issue of shortage of teachers, we cannot take any short cuts. We need to get to the root of the problem. This involves getting the necessary data: How many teachers do we need per school, what should be the subject matter specialisation of these teachers.
“We are doing our part to move education in Oyo State forward. We encourage you to use the communication channels provided by the Oyo State Ministry of Education, and for those of you who use social media, the pages and handles of Oyo State to give feedback on the progress of the work in your communities. And whatever is not going as scheduled, please report to us. We are a listening government and we will always respond to your feedback,” Governor Makinde added.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Principal, Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Mrs Titi Akintujoye, said that the old Students Association has rehabilitated over 10 blocks of classroom, toilets and the library, also provision of fence to secure lives and properties in the school.
She, however, appealed to the Governor to approve the re-classification of the school as Junior and Secondary Schools to allow for efficient management and transition from one school to the other, completion of the school fencing to prevent encroachment and to assist in completing a block of four classrooms started by the School Governing Board in the school.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of its Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE) for private candidates, starting from October 25, 2024.
The examination is set to run until December 20, 2024, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday.
In a bid to modernise the examination process, WAEC disclosed that the CBWASSCE will be conducted in a hybrid format.
Adesina Fadekemi, the council’s spokesperson, explained that the objective or multiple-choice questions would be displayed onscreen, requiring candidates to submit their responses electronically.
However, for essay and practical questions, while the questions will also be presented digitally, candidates will still provide answers using traditional answer booklets.
Additionally, WAEC has provided an option for candidates who prefer to use the conventional Paper and Pen mode for all exam papers, catering to those not comfortable with the digital format.
The council also extended the registration deadline for the upcoming CBWASSCE to Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Candidates who miss the registration window can still take advantage of the “Walk-in-Candidate” option, allowing them to register 24 hours before their preferred paper is scheduled.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, has reaffirmed his commitment to aiding the Federal Polytechnic Ayede in realising its full potential.
Senator Akintunde made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit, the lawmaker highlighted his passion for contributing to humanity, especially through the advancement of education and skills development.
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“I am part of the polytechnic system. I started at The Polytechnic, Ibadan before going to Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos. I’m a lover of knowledge and I am always striving to contribute my quota in the area of education and skills development, among others, and in the legislative assignments as my primary responsibility,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further emphasised his dedication to supporting the Polytechnic and its community, stating that leaders should be driven by a commitment to serving humanity.
He cited the legacy of Hon. Olu Afolabi, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, who was instrumental in establishing the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
“Afolabi’s legacy remains evergreen today,” Akintunde remarked, emphasising the importance of creating lasting impacts through public service.
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As part of his developmental projects for the Oyo Central Senatorial District, Akintunde disclosed that he had procured 120 solar-powered boreholes to be installed across the 118 wards of the 11 local governments in his senatorial district, along with 10,000 solar street lights.
He assured the Federal Polytechnic Ayede that some of these solar street lights would be installed within the institution to enhance security and visibility on campus.
Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, who was represented by the acting Rector and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Azeez Ojo, expressed gratitude to the senator.
The Rector noted that Senator Akintunde had demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropic causes even before assuming office as a senator.
“You see, it’s a great privilege receiving Distinguished Senator Yunus Akintunde and his entourage on our campus today. Out of your magnanimity, Sir, you have decided to receive us,” Ojo said, acknowledging the senator’s gesture.
“Our Rector is away to Abuja for the progress and development of our Polytechnic. So, on behalf of the Chairman of our Governing Council, Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu; Rector; other Principal Officers; Deans; Directors; staff, and students, I welcome you and your entourage to Federal Polytechnic Ayede.
“While on Brave FM, you have, before even telling us, announced the gesture of solar lights donated to us. This we appreciate with the whole of our hearts,” he said.
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The Rector assured the lawmaker that his support would be instrumental in the continued growth and development of the fast-expanding institution.
The visit concluded with the Polytechnic community expressing hope for further collaboration with the senator in the areas of educational and infrastructural development.
(c) Mega Icon Magazine
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.
The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.
“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.
In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.
“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.
The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.
Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.
“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.
ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.
The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.
In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.
“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.
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