Oyo govt unveils 2017-2020 approved new list of books

IN its effort towards repositioning and transforming the education sector,  Oyo state government has unveiled the new 2017-2020 approved list of books in public and private junior and senior secondary schools.

Presenting the documents in Ibadan, on Wednesday to stakeholders in education sector in the state, the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela disclosed that the initiative was part of Governor Abiola Ajimobi led administration’s efforts to repositioning education.

The commissioner stressed, “the books recommended were carefully selected to achieve greater feat in education because Oyo State is the intellectual capital of the country and we have to maintain the tempo.

“The state government is also sanitising the system by removing from service those that are working with fake results and the intention is to have an efficient workforce”.

Olowofela further stated that the contents of the books have been carefully studied by various authors and publishers to be in conformity with that of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC.

He assured that the ministry will continue to partner with important stakeholders in the sector so as to support the dreams of the state governor.

Also speaking, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Ariyike Adekanmbi maintained that the use of the list of books is sacrosanct because it is tailored with curriculum used to set examinations.

Adekanmbi, however tasked the Local Inspectors of Education, LIEs to monitor the compliance of all schools to conform to the state government’s directives on education.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Abdulwasi Musa, while lauding the Ajimobi-led administration’s commitment to improving education, said the recommendations must be strictly adhered to by education players in the state.

“We have been engaging the Ministry of Education, because it has greater impacts on the society.

“The agitations recently that the state government wanted to sell schools was the handiwork of the mischief makers. And the last year’s WAEC rating where it was gathered that Oyo State ranked 29 was not also true as it is not a true reflection of student’s performances in the state”, the lawmaker submitted.

Other stakeholders present at the ceremony commended the state government’s initiative and pledged to fully comply with the new step.