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We ‘ll recruit more teachers – Makinde

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Oyo state governor, Engr Oluseyi Makinde on Saturday said  his administration would soon be hiring trained teachers to strengthen quality education in public schools.

Governor Makinde who vowed to reclaim the lost glory of the education sector in Oyo State by collaborating with different stakeholders to uplift the sector, also promised to make the Government College Ibadan (GCI) the poster school in Nigeria.

The Governor, who stated this while speaking at the grand finale of events marking 90th anniversary of GCI, said that his government is intent on restoring the lost glory of education in Oyo State.

A statement by the chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that the State would soon advertise for the recruitment of teachers.

He stated that his administration would continue to place great importance on the future of the children of Oyo State.

In attendance at the event were the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who is an old student of the school; the president of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN; Chief Lekan Are; former Governor Omololu Olunloyo; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, who is also an old student and other government functionaries.

Governor Makinde commended the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) for their contributions towards reclaiming the glory of the historic school, especially the renovation of the old hostels of the school, among others, promising to partner with them to make GCI the poster school of Nigeria.

The Governor also expressed his readiness to collaborate with stakeholders in the education sector to deliver qualitative education, noting that everyone has to come to the table on the policies put in place by the State Government, because the government and the Governor could not do it alone.

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Governor Makinde maintained that it had been a challenge for Government to drive its free qualitative education policy because there were corrupt elements trying to frustrate Government.

He insisted, however, that he would not relent in delivering free qualitative education to all students in the State.

The Governor explained that he had sent out fact-finding emissaries to some schools in the State, which discovered that the free textbooks provided by the State were not being distributed to students in some schools, noting that he had already given a directive that the books must reach every student.

“Actually, this brings it down to where we are in the area of education in Oyo State. During my electioneering campaign, I promised the good people of Oyo State free and qualitative education but I knew that the government cannot do it alone. I am happy with the latest developments in GCI and want to promise that the government of Oyo State will partner with you.

“We will soon advertise vacancy to recruit teachers. If the PTA teachers are good enough and have the prerequisite qualifications, they will be employed. But the bottom-line is that the future of our children is at stake here. If we are saying that government is providing certain things and we cannot have value for those things, then it is a big problem and that is what we are faced with right now.

“I am saying boldly here that education is one of the pillars on which this administration is resting on. It is only when we give knowledge to our people; that is when they can take themselves out of poverty,” Governor Makinde said.

“It is a big challenge and I have to come out to say this. When we came in, we scrapped the N3,000 education levy but we have been challenged by those corrupt elements within the education sector. I have heard cases where I was told certain schools were burgled because we scrapped N3,000 but did not provide grants to schools. They said they could not employ guards to secure the school environment. If I look at that school and also look at GCI, where do you think I will put further investment?

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“I have also heard about situations where they came back to us and said some certain schools had only five instead of 25 teachers out of which 20 were PTA teachers. They also said they could not pay the PTA teachers because the government stopped them from collecting N3,000 education levy. They never declared to anybody that the levy was the same as PTA levy. So, I said to the Permanent Secretary that we will give Grants to schools but there must be accountability.

“I care about this mandate the people of Oyo State have given to me and I care about the promises I made to the people during my electioneering campaign. So, the challenge is out there and I want to ask that the good people within our midst have to come to the table for the educational policies we are putting in place to succeed.

“If you don’t come to the table, God forbid, Seyi Makinde alone can’t do it. Government alone cannot do it. We need people that can tell us what is going on.

“I have heard some reports, even from this school, that the notebooks and textbooks we sent out were not distributed. I asked them the reason why they were keeping the materials almost mid-way into the first term but they gave excuse of not being able to get the logistics to move those materials from Local Inspectors of Education to the school. And I said to them that I approved money for those materials around the first week of September.

“But there was good news after that encounter. They started the distribution immediately and I think if some of the students are here, they can confirm they have those instructional materials now. So, we need things like that to happen in all the schools in Oyo State.

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“What will make the difference for us are not those giant steps but the little ones we take. So, I will partner with the GCIOBA to achieve that objective. I will encourage this school. I am with you all the way and we will together bring back the lost glory in our education sector in Oyo State,” the Governor said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Chairman of GCIOBA, Dr. Wale Babalakin said that the Old Boys Association of GCI have committed over N500 million to the development of the school.

He said that the association would partner with the state government to return boarding system to the school.

According to him, the idea of a GCI as a day school without boarding system was an antithesis.

 

 

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Education

Don Pushes for B.Tech to Empower Polytechnic Graduates

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Dr. Taofeek Abdul-hameed, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider replacing the Higher National Diploma (HND) with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) to address educational disparities and benefit indigent students nationwide.

Abdul-Hameed, speaking on behalf of a league of Rectors, during a live radio programme in Ibadan recently, emphasised the need to eliminate the dichotomy between Polytechnic and University education, asserting that both students and lecturers at Polytechnics are equally competent.

He argued that technical skills and entrepreneurship play a crucial role in a nation’s economic development, citing China and the United Arab Emirates as examples.

Highlighting the Polytechnics’ emphasis on practical skills and entrepreneurship, the don stressed the scarcity of white-collar jobs, advocating for equipping students with practical skills for self-employment after graduation.

“The way out is for the president to assent to the bill and cancel the HND to B.Tech programme, or else the disparity will continue. We hope that President Bola Tinubu signs the bill soon since the last administration failed to do so,” Abdul-Hameed remarked.

 

Commending the Federal Government for the approved Student Loan initiative, the Rector emphasised the importance of making education accessible to indigent students.

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He suggested low tuition fees and interest-free loans, asserting that skill acquisition should be an integral part of education to enable students to repay loans through acquired skills.

“As long as students receive loans from their institutions, they should be equipped with skill acquisitions so that they can pay back after 2 years or graduation. I want to believe that 2 years are sufficient for students, and if not, the government can consider renewing or extending the loan period,” Abdul-Hameed concluded.

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Education

KWASU Students Arrested for Allegedly Beating Peer to Death

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Four unidentified undergraduate students of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, are facing serious legal consequences after being apprehended for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of a fellow student.

The tragic incident transpired penultimate week within one of the private hostels located outside the university premises. The assailants reportedly targeted the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time, accusing him of surreptitiously filming them.

According to an account from a student who spoke with Channels Television, the victim succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted during the assault. The motives behind the alleged filming and subsequent attack are yet to be fully understood.

Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the distressing event on Friday, stating, “The alleged culprits were four but I cannot confirm their names now. They have been arrested while an investigation is still ongoing over the matter.”

 

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Education

Oyo: Oseni pays WAEC fees of indigent students, begins free JAMB registration

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 300 indigent students in the federal constituency.

Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced the collection of data from eligible constituents in fulfillment of its 2024 free JAMB registration programme.

It will be recalled that the lawmaker at the stakeholders meeting and mega empowerment held last year December said under his education support scheme he will be providing free WAEC and JAMB registration for underprivileged students in the constituency

According to him, “Supporting education is crucial for securing the future of our constituency. Initiatives such as scholarships, tuition fee support, and free WAEC and JAMB registration will be introduced to ease the financial burden on students. Ensuring access to quality education is essential for nurturing the next generation of leaders.

“ Therefore, I am proud to announce that, starting in 2024, under the Remi Oseni Education Support Scheme, I will provide free WAEC and JAMB registration for students in the constituency. Additionally, the Remi Oseni Scholarship Award will be offered to less privileged children, ensuring robust support for all students at every level, including scholarships and tuition fee payment”.

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The APC chieftain, in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, on Sunday, in Ibadan, noted that he is committed to investing in the future of the younger generation through education and other programmes that will boost their morale in pursuing a worthy future.

It further explained that eligible constituents of Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency are expected to visit the Remi Oseni Constituency Office Ologuneru, Ibadan with their WAEC/NECO certificates, local government identification certificate (Ibarapa East/Ido local government) to get the free JAMB registration forms to register their data/details.

“It is important to emphasise that recipients of the free JAMB registration must provide clear evidence of residing and having received education in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency. The registration commenced on Friday, February 2, 2024, and will conclude on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Eligible students are required to visit the constituency office between 9 am and 6 pm,” the statement reiterated.

Oseni, however, reassured the constituents of more dividends of democracy and quality representation.

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