The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, recently spoke about the persistent issues of poor infrastructure in schools, despite access to various intervention funds, such as the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund. During the Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, he acknowledged the need to properly identify and address the most severely underfunded and neglected schools in the state. Abiodun emphasized that this initiative aims to curb the embarrassment stemming from the negative media portrayal of schools in Ogun State, where children often learn in substandard conditions despite the available funding.
As a significant part of the celebration, Governor Abiodun announced the approval for the construction of 12 new blocks of 900 smart classrooms across four schools in each zone in Ogun State. The selected schools include Abeokuta Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Remo Secondary School, and Yewa College. This initiative is part of a broader plan to modernize educational facilities and provide better learning environments. Additionally, the governor introduced the Ogun Digitalised Multimedia Lesson Plan, which aims to equip teachers with the necessary tools and resources to deliver effective lessons through centralized and digitized plans.
Moreover, Abiodun outlined various accomplishments that have marked his administration’s commitment to improving the educational sector. These include the approval of the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund, efficient conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) using Optical Mark Reader technology, and installing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in preparation for implementing the Nigeria Learning Passport for e-content distribution. These advancements reflect a systematic approach to addressing the educational needs of residents in Ogun State.
The governor addressed past shortcomings regarding unutilized Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds from previous years, pointing out that the state had not accessed funds from 2014 to 2017 before he took office. Upon assuming his role, he ensured that the necessary counterpart funding was provided, allowing the state to access funding for 2018 and 2019. However, he observed that many contracts for school projects were abandoned, primarily due to inflation and unrealistic pricing. In response, he established a task force to identify the worst-performing schools, taking steps to ensure that future funding and projects are directed toward the schools with the most significant needs.
Governor Abiodun noted that assessing the conditions of the schools was essential for developing a new work plan that aligns with the state’s unique challenges. He recently communicated with the UBEC Chairman to propose adjustments that better reflect Ogun State’s realities, particularly concerning the most neglected schools. As a result, the new work plan will not only aim to complete projects abandoned in the previous funding rounds but will also prioritize the direst schools moving forward, ensuring that the disadvantaged do not continue to be overlooked.
Lastly, in honor of Teachers’ Day, the governor declared October 6, 2024, as a work-free day for teachers and announced the absorption of 1,000 additional teachers into the State Teaching Service Commission, raising the total number of new teachers hired to 5,000 since his administration began. He highlighted the importance of uplifting special schools by approving renovations and increasing the feeding allowance for pupils in those facilities. Furthermore, he pledged to provide transport allowances to public school teachers instead of granting work-free days, acknowledging the significant role teachers play in shaping future generations and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to enhancing the teaching profession as part of Ogun State’s overall educational reform efforts.
