From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has disclosed that his administration’s reform in the education sector was aimed at setting the right direction in line with the desires and aspirations of the people.

He said the restoration of the 6-3-3-4 system was in conformity with the National Policy on Education.

He noted that the reforms in the education sector was not in any way targeted at anyone.

Oyetola stated these on Saturday at the inauguration of the newly-renovated block of six classrooms in Ilesa Grammar School in Ilesa.

The newly-renovated block of six classrooms was undertaken and funded by the 1966-1970 set of Ilesa Grammar School as part of their social responsibility and community service to mark the 50th anniversary of their graduation from the citadel of learning.

The governor reiterated that education remains the backbone of his administration’s Development Agenda, hence the prompt intervention that had ensured the provision of quality, affordable, equitable and functional education across all the sectors of the State.

Speaking at the  ceremony, Oyetola said the decision to review some extant policies in the education sector was in response to the demands of Osun people and relevant stakeholders, including old students’ association of Ilesa Grammar School, that not only expressed their reservation for what was done in the past, but even took the government to court.

He said the decision was arrived at having painstakingly assessed the popular demands of individuals and critical stakeholders who also kicked against the merger of schools and change of uniforms.

He said the provision of quality, qualitative and functional education was a duty of all, hence the need for corporate organisations and well-meaning citizens to rise up to the occasion and support government in its efforts to reposition the sector.

The old students of Ilesa Grammar School applauded the Governor for his rare courage and boldness to reverse some of the education policies considered inimical to the tenets and principles of State and national education policy.

In her remarks, the Chairman, 1966-1970 set of Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association, Alhaja Nusirat Bakare, lauded Governor Oyetola for allowing reason to prevail and for restoring the glory, grace, honour and foremost position of Ilesa Grammar School in the annals of education in the State.