ONE of the core principles of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s developmental agenda in Ondo State is ensuring quality and accessible education for all citizens. His administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving the education sector. The recent approval of N3.5 billion as a zero-interest counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), along with an earlier allocation of N3.2 billion for constructing secondary schools in the state’s three senatorial districts, reflects this dedication to educational development.
THE administration has placed a strong emphasis on teachers’ welfare and development. To this end,forty Education Secretaries, Zonal/Area Education Officers, and 50 Data Officers from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology have been trained on the BESDA Attendance Management Information System. Additionally, 750 headteachers and 190 principals of junior public secondary schools across the 18 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) have been trained on the BAMIS attendance app, ensuring proper monitoring of school attendance.
IN terms of infrastructure, the government has overseen the construction of 11 new classroom blocks and renovated 23 blocks. The state also supplied 585 units of teacher furniture, 3,360 units of pupil furniture, 72 units of Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) furniture, and constructed 10 boreholes and three toilet facilities. Additionally, seven schools have received perimeter fencing to secure the learning environment.
THE administration also addressed the impact of rising costs by distributing palliatives to pupils during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration. This effort aims to reduce the menace of out-of-school children and reinforce the state’s commitment to inclusive education.
WITH over N24 billion injected into the basic education sector over the past seven and a half years, Ondo State has significantly enhanced basic education, earning itself recognition as the Best-Performing state in South-West Nigeria and one of the best in the country, according to UBEC.
IN the senior secondary sector, the administration paid over N550 million to cover West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 26,088 public school students. Beyond exam fees, the administration initiated massive school renovations, prioritised teacher recruitment and training, and moved towards digitalising the education sector. An additional 2,000 teachers are being recruited, focusing on improving schools in rural areas.
THE state government introduced an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department within the education ministry, with the aim to develop students’ entrepreneurial talents and prepare them for self-employment. Governor Aiyedatiwa appointed three Tutors-General among the state’s teachers, ensuring high standards of academic leadership in schools.
THE administration has also focused on vocational education and skills acquisition to combat unemployment. The long-overdue accreditation of courses at Government Technical Colleges has been secured, with N6.49 million spent on National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) fees for 161 students. Plans to build two new model technical schools further reflect the state’s focus on technical education and entrepreneurship.
TO alleviate the financial burden on parents, Governor Aiyedatiwa flagged off the disbursement of N335 million for scholarships and bursaries to Ondo State students in September. The annual bursary was doubled from N10,000 to N20,000, while students with disabilities received N75,000 each. Scholarship beneficiaries now receive N100,000. Furthermore, the governor increased subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions and continued funding projects within the schools.
DESPITE these achievements, opposition figures have attempted to discredit the administration, labelling the renovation of schools as a campaign tactic for the November 16 election. These allegations are baseless and intended to undermine the governor’s efforts in the education sector.