By Babatunde Ayedoju
The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) has reiterated the commitment of the Ondo State Government, under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to the advancement of basic education in the state, assuring that the present administration will continue to improve the standard of basic schools across the state.
Permanent Secretary of ODSUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, disclosed this while speaking at the commissioning of the newly renovated block of six classrooms, an office and a store, at SUBEB Model Primary School II, Oke-Ogba, Akure, on Friday.
She hailed Governor Aiyedatiwa for his investment in education and keen interest in the development of basic education in the state.
While assuring that the state government would not relent in providing state-of-the-art facilities for the model school, Bayo-Ilawole called on the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) and the management of the school to continue collaborating with the government towards moving the school forward.
She also urged the management and staff of the school to embark on aggressive sensitisation within the host community as schools prepare to commence another academic session, with a view to increasing enrolment and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that the renovation was undertaken to improve the existing structures and make the school a model school in reality.
While assuring that none of the over 1,200 primary schools in Ondo State would be left behind, she said, “Aside from this renovation, we are working on installing a smart board in every classroom and providing 24-hour electricity in this school.Ondo news updates
“Every other thing needed to make the school a conducive learning environment is being worked upon, one after the other.”
In his welcome address, the Acting Education Secretary, Akure South Local Government Education Authority, Mr Oyebanji Bada, lauded the ODSUBEB Permanent Secretary for her giant strides since assuming office, while expressing his delight at the swift completion of the project.
He also assured that the building would be put to judicious use.
The Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Bukola Omoyeni, expressed her appreciation to ODSUBEB and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for the timely intervention, saying, “This intervention will greatly improve the learning environment and continue to provide a more conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning.
“We also appreciate the commitment of UBEC and SUBEB to improving basic infrastructure. We promise to maintain the facility and put it to proper use.”
Also, the PTA Chairman of the school, Pastor Oladunjoye Olorunjuwonlo, thanked the state government, ODSUBEB and UBEC for undertaking the renovation of the classrooms, which he said the PTA had previously made efforts to carry out.
Earlier, at the SUBEB headquarters in Akure, the Permanent Secretary also commissioned six newly purchased operational vehicles for the board.
Speaking at the commissioning, Bayo-Ilawole appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for paying attention to basic education and ensuring the availability of the state’s counterpart fund.
She also appreciated the former Chairman of ODSUBEB, Mr. Victor Olabimtan, for his role in the purchase of the vehicles during his tenure.
She equally thanked the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Garuba, and the Ondo State Coordinator of UBEC, Mrs Olanike Adams, for their collaboration towards moving basic education forward in Ondo State.