Ajimobi, UNICEF train education inspectors in Oyo.

OYO state government in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), has trained education evaluators in the state in a pioneer scheme to transform the era of witch hunting, military approach, fault finding practises of the old to a more acceptable education evaluation for cooperative, friendly, democratic, result – oriented and improvement focused evaluation method.

Giving an insight into the program at a 3 – day training workshop for inspectors of education on “Teachers Mentoring and Monitoring” held at Plaza De Aruna Hotel, Oyo, the state governor, who was represented by his commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, today noted that the inability of most states to sustain the capacity building of their work force in the education industry is a major set-back in ensuring sustainable quality assurance in basic education.

He stressed , ” the consequence of this set back is mass failure in internal and external examinations in our schools, examination malpractice, cultism, half-baked graduates, low level of literacy and numeracy. All these are pointer to the fact that the impact of human resources cannot be under-estimated.

 

“Thus the state government led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi has declared a state of emergency in education”.

Olowofela further explained that in order to restore the state to the old glorious place, the present administration has abolished mass promotion, established School Governing Board (SGB) to ensure involvement of all stakeholders in education management, as well as initiated OYO MESI program to improve students performance in WAEC/SSCE, NECO amongst others.

The commissioner, also acknowledged the inputs and impacts of UNICEF. “UNICEF is an agent of United Nations agency-a development partner with the state.

“An organization which provides technical support for this workshop. The supports being enjoyed from UNICEF are too numerous to mention. Some are conduct of Annual School Census, establishment of early child care development centres in some local governments, training of teachers on regio-emilia teaching methodology, preparation and timely review of State Education Sector Strategic Plan (SESP) and State Education Sector Operation Plan (SESOP).

“On behalf of the governor, and other stakeholders of which students are most important, I wish to appreciate UNICEF -B Field Office, Akure for her invaluable support to the state especially in ensuring improvement in education service delivery “.

He, therefore charged, ” this training workshop should come impart positive values and a way forward for a sustainable education evaluation management for the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Akure, Tejinder Sandhu commended the state government for her proactive measures and laudable steps taken towards enhancing education. “It is a complex thing. the effect of changes will take a lot of time and efforts”.

Sandhu, however assured the government of technical support.