Education
Exclusive: Dearth of running grants hit public schools in Oyo
PUBLIC primary and secondary school education may suffer setback in Oyo State following the inability of the state government to inject funds into the school system
The state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, had, at different fora directed that all forms of payment in public primary and secondary schools ceased with immediate effect, a decision which has left the schools without running funds to maintain curricular and co- curricular activities, investigations by Mega Icon Magazine have shown.
Also, the state government has refused to employ teachers despite an acute shortage of teaching personnel in public primary and secondary schools across the state, while private teachers hired through the contributions of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) were relieved of their jobs.
Our checks further revealed that the public schools became the target of attacks by hoodlum following the forced withdrawal of security guards, especially the night guards after Governor Makinde announced the abolition of payment of the fees.
Reacting to this development, one of the Principals who spoke in confidence lamented, “we are finding it difficult to pay for the services of security guards and others employed to complement our efforts”.
Before now, pupils in public secondary schools paid N1000 per term each under the education policy of Schools’ Governing Boards (SGBs) of the immediate past administration led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Investigations unearthed that the N1000 fees were domiciled in the accounts of the schools for their smooth -running.
Meanwhile, the Oyo state government through its Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Kehinde Sangodoyin at the launching and dedication of projects embarked upon by Old Students of Ibadan City Academy, Ibadan vowed that the government would start paying running cost for the upkeep of public schools from Monday September 30th, 2019.
According to Prof. Sangodoyin, ” parts of the State education policy is to improve access and participation of our students in academic activities at all levels, be it primary or secondary and since the governor has removed levies hitherto paid by our students and has just approved the payment of running cost to our primary and secondary schools”.
However, our findings on Wednesday (9th October, 2019) revealed that the state government has not fulfilled its promise .
Another Principal, who also pleaded anonymity lamented the cancelation of the Education Development Levy without providing an alternative, adding that running of schools had become ineffective.
He observed that there was high disregard for continuity in the formulation of educational policies, stressing that lack of funds has contributed to the schools’ inability to effectively implement the curriculum, which has greatly affected the academic activities.
While, highlighting the challenges during a chat with our reporter, he , however sought government’s intervention.
“We are faced with numerous challenges, which include inadequate teachers, inability to effectively implement the school curriculum on some subjects and lack of teachers and facilities.”
Shockingly, the same concerns were raised in other schools visited by our reporter.
Speaking further, he disclosed that
considerable numbers of pupils in most of the primary and secondary schools in Oyo state still study in poor conditions, making it harder for them to perform well.
“More pupils in class due to insufficient furniture has made the study environment difficult to manage”, Mega Icon Magazine source concluded.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of the 2025 Direct Entry (DE) forms will commence on Wednesday, March 12.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday. He emphasized that the registration process is essential for individuals with degrees, diplomas, or A-level certificates seeking admission into their preferred universities.
“The initiation of the DE sales follows the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8, 2025,” the statement read.
According to JAMB, a total of 2,030,627 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, with 200,115 participating in the Mock-UTME and 630 in the trial mock examination.
The board warned prospective Direct Entry applicants to ensure they meet all entry requirements, as any false declaration of qualifications would attract serious penalties.
“A special committee will verify all submitted advanced-level qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions,” the board stated.
JAMB also clarified that registration for the Direct Entry process can only be done at designated JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs).
As the registration date approaches, candidates are advised to adhere to all guidelines and ensure that their credentials are properly verified to avoid disqualification.
The Federal Government has officially adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, as a Federal University of Education. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the transition on Friday, expressing gratitude to the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over one of the state’s most valued educational institutions.
The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, highlighting the significance of TASUED’s transition and its alignment with national educational priorities.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating our children and instilling patriotic and leadership values at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The President further acknowledged the Awujale of Ijebuland’s instrumental role in preventing TASUED’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. He described the transition as a strategic move aimed at strengthening teacher education and improving instructional quality nationwide.
“With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment,” the statement noted.
TASUED, established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government, holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. It was named in honour of Dr Tai Solarin, a renowned educationist and social reformer. The institution’s conversion into a federal university marks a historic milestone as the first federal tertiary institution in Ogun East Senatorial District, which includes Ijebu and Remo areas.
With this development, TASUED joins Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, as Nigeria’s three federally owned universities dedicated to teacher education. The takeover underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s teaching workforce.
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