OVER the years, Ondo State has been recognized across the federation for its exploits in the education sector most especially in the areas of providing qualitative education in line with global best practices for students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state. This has been evident in the previous performances of the  State students and teachers among their contemporaries from other states. One of such is Mr. Sunday Fadeni, a multiple award-winning teacher who teaches Agricultural Science at Fiwasaye Grammar School, Akure. Mr. Fadeni won the Maltina Teacher of the Year award, Ondo State Champion in 2017. He again repeated this  feat in 2021 and was among Nigeria’s top 10 best teachers. He was as well awarded the best teacher all over the Southwest in 2021 in an event organized by the National Network of Teachers for Good Governance.

IN similar manner, another exploit in the student category was the feat recently recorded by Oluwole Oluwabukunmi, a brilliant kid and student of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi-Akoko Ondo State as he recorded an amazing performance in the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination with A1 parallel.

THIS young champ as well secured a 324 aggregate score in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) qualifying him as one of the best  all over the nation. Also, graduates of Law from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko had on several occasions showcased the stuff they are made up with their excellent performances in the Nigeria Law School.The list of exploits of teachers and students from Ondo State among their equals across the nation is endless as new achievements unfold  daily.

WITH  1,285 public primary schools, 308 public secondary schools, five public Technical Colleges, two public innovation centers, four Special Schools, three public Universities, one Polytechnic and one public College of Health Technology in Ondo State, it has practically become impossible for the  State government to bear the cost of effectively funding  all these schools considering the limited resources of the state. Since government cannot singlehandedly fund education, support from individuals in form of endowment fund is ;ong anticipated and over due and a good way to go as it is done in other civilized societies.

HENCE, the necessity for the introduction of the Education Endowment Levy by the government as established by Edict No 10 of 1990 to mobilize financial resources within and outside the state for rebuilding, revamping, general upgrading, and repositioning of education. This  could not have been more urgent than now as this would to a great extent enhance educational advancement across all levels in the state.

THIS voluntary levy no doubt, would be used to provide relevant instructional materials, improve the quality of education through capacity building, renovate dilapidated structures and improve the quality of education in the State. The fund would as well be used to provide scholarships to indigent students, improve teaching and learning in special schools (four in the State), promote sporting activities among students, support adult literacy, provide functional libraries and laboratories in schools, support research programmes, support teachers capacity development and support digital literacy, among others.

WHILE we commend the government for this laudable step,  we call on it to make the levy voluntary. Furthermore, the government should as well ensure that this fund is properly managed and used for educational purposes only. The government should adequately sensitize and educate the masses on this levy so as to douse their suspicion and lay to rest any form of doubt on genuiness of the  government. There should be constant assurance and re-assurance of the populace and the proceeds should be handled by men of impeccable character to avoid mismanagement  thereby discouraging  people of the  State and other  contributors.

MOREOVER, we implore corporate organizations, wealthy indigenes and those that matter  both within and outside the state to contribute immensely to this laudable initiative. We enjoin the state government not to   limit this levy to the education sector alone. This kind of endowment levy should also be introduced to the security sector as this will help in bringing an improvement to the security architecture of our dear state. Funds generated through this could be used to purchase modern equipment  and security gadgets to fortify men of Amotekun Corps. This, we believe, would take the state to an enviable status within the south/west and by extension, among other states in Nigeria.