Education
Oyo Schools To Harness Play-Based Learning Initiative For Development
Play-based learning initiative for pre-primary to primary two children has been described as a crucial bedrock for children which Oyo State Government intends to harness for the development of education.
In this regard the State Government has promised to train all pre-primary school teachers in order to inspire standard practice in the education sector as well as grow teachers’ self esteem during teaching.
This was said on Tuesday by the Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (Oyo SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran during a courtesy visit by the Chief Executive Officer, Early Childhood Development Initiative, ECDI, Canada, Mrs. Patricia Eno Falope to his office in Ibadan.
Adeniran informed his visitors that the State government would embark on various measures to get more from teachers, as according to him, the gains in training teachers more on early childhood education in the State would be to the benefits of the teachers and the society.
He maintained that if initiatives targeted at teachers’ capacity improvement and development were adopted, the State could then boast of providing quality education.
“Oyo State Government would key into this laudable initiative of Early Childhood Development Centres, across the State to get more in return to achieve the ultimate dream of having success through students’ performance, as the input through the teacher will surely reflect in the final result seen in students’ performance in public examinations.
“While monitoring schools across all LGAs in the State, I noticed we do not have enough ECDs. This is disheartening. But be rest assured that the Seyi Makinde led administration would rectify these anomalies. We will ensure training for all pre-primary teachers and we will increase the ECD centres”, he ascertained.
Dr. Adeniran noted that state-wide enactment of Early Childhood Development Centres will help the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration realize the desired paradigm shift in the education sector.
He therefore pledged the State Government’s readiness to harness the early childhood development and training-the-trainer initiatives for a superlative transformation of the sector.
Dr. Adeniran also thanked the team for contributing its quota to the educational development of both teachers and pupils which he said has helped birthed the initiative in Oyo State.
In her words, Mrs. Patricia Eno Falope noted that Oyo State is the only South-West state that has keyed into this initiative, expressing her assurance for the vibrant running of the pilot study.
She disclosed that the initiative has study partners such as Ryerson University and ECDI, Canada, while Oyo State Government through the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), National Commission for Colleges of Education, University of Ibadan and UBEC were partners in the initiative.
She further revealed that the development initiative already had 24 pre- primary school teachers undergoing training in Ogbomosho North and Ido Local Government, while 271 pupils were benefiting from these pilot study.
The three-year long study was targeted at measuring the impact of play-based learning on children’s educational outcomes from pre-primary to primary two in public primary schools in the State.
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.
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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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