By Babatunde Ayedoju
The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has received the draft report of the Committee on the Review of the Guidelines for the Establishment of Private Schools in the State.
The review is aimed at strengthening the regulation of private education and aligning the existing guidelines with contemporary realities and global best practices in the education sector.
Presenting the draft report on Thursday, the Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Akindele Ige, stated that the review had become imperative because the existing guidelines were outdated and no longer adequately addressed emerging developments in the education sector.
He explained that the committee reviewed the approval process for the establishment of private and community schools, reaffirming that the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology is the sole approving authority for the establishment of such schools in the State.
Ige further disclosed that the committee examined the issue of the minimum distance between private schools, noting that school spacing has remained a major source of concern and frequent disputes among proprietors.
According to him, the review also covers land requirements for school siting, a streamlined approval process, staffing requirements, licensing conditions, minimum infrastructural standards, and other essential criteria for the establishment and operation of private schools.
He added that the responsibility for monitoring compliance with the approved standards rests solely with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through its Headquarters, Zonal Offices, and Area Education Offices.
Receiving the draft report, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, commended the committee for its diligence and commitment in producing the document.
He described the review as timely and necessary, noting that the existing guidelines had become obsolete and no longer reflected current realities in the administration and regulation of private schools.
He further disclosed that one of the key innovations being considered is the digitalisation of the approval process, which will enable prospective proprietors to submit all required documents electronically while allowing the Ministry to process, monitor, and track applications seamlessly through a centralised digital platform.
Ajibefun stated that the draft report would first be presented to the Management Committee of the Ministry for deliberation, after which it would be submitted for his approval.
Upon approval, the revised Guidelines for the Establishment of Private Schools in Ondo State will be adopted and implemented by the Ministry.
He expressed confidence that the revised guidelines would enhance transparency, strengthen quality assurance, promote compliance with prescribed standards, and further improve the delivery of quality education by private schools across Ondo State.