As at today in Nigeria, how many governors operate the policy of free education?
As at May 29 2019, The state is regarded to have the highest number of out of school children in south west Nigeria. The story has changed as a result of effective touch of Governor Seyi Makinde on Education. Makinde said his “goal is to make Oyo State the hub for education tourism in Nigeria, not just at the basic education level but at the tertiary level as well.” The state now has the biggest education spending allocation of 22.4% of the 2020 budget, topping the federal government’s 15%.
The world as we have created, it is a process of our thinking, when governor of Oyo state assumed the power of authority, he declared free education from primary school to secondary school. Serious thinkers are few, and the world is ruled by crude ideas. The concept of free education has been on ground for awhile but this policy is always not being giving deserved attention by many governors.
President Buhari charged the governors few years ago on free education even before Governor Seyi Makinde become the Governor but former Governor of Oyo state jettisoned the idea. The liberator came into power and ensure the children of the poor, the children of the poorest of the poor get adequate and free education. It is obscenely difficult if not impossible to make something that no one hates. Conversely, it is incredibly easy if not expected to make something that nobody loves. Education is very important but to some it is not affordable but Governor Seyi came in and make it free for all children in Oyo state.
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest, it brings about positive change which is the end result of all true learning. Governor Seyi Makinde believe that education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Effective touch of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration on Education as ensured the Ministry who supervise the well delivery of Education in the State and the State is able to promote and harness Science and Technology research for socio-economic development, job generation and wealth creation as it was witnessed in TESCOM recruitment and Educational Officers. His Administration has also promote the practical application of research findings to the development of commercial products,collaborating with higher and Research Institutions, scoot harness and nurture potentialities for local technologies as vehicle for socio- economic development, promote, support and sustain the spread of ICT knowledge and skills throughout the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde as an icon of unblemished character has turned the State Education into upper level of standard and verifiable Education with world class policy that propel good education in the state. The scrapping of Education Development Levy (EDL) in Public Secondary Schools;Conduct of the following Examinations free of charge in the State:Placement/Screening Examination into JSS One for 156,554 pupils in both Public and Private Primary Schools in the State. Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for 61,569 Public JSS; Competitive Examination into Oyo State Schools of Science. 4,025 candidates sat for the Examination and many more indicate a greater development in educational sector of the state.
Re-jacketing of textbooks in thirteen subjects for free distribution into all Public Secondary Schools Production of two million, seven hundred and eighty-two thousand, eight hundred and six (2,782,806) customised notebooks for free distribution into all Public Secondary Schools; completion of renovation of School Buildings by Education Trust Funds (ETF) ; Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Approval commenced execution of Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) – a World Bank supported programme in the State; Payment of outstanding salaries and leave allowances; Payment of counterpart fund to match that of UBEC for 2018 FGN/UBEC – OYO SUBEB Intervention Projects.
Free Training of School Leavers on various Vocations like Textile, Bead Making, Pastries, Block Making, Tie & Dye and Gele tieing in the five (5) Technical Colleges; Monitor standards of learning and teaching in state schools through an effective team;Set new targets for high performance of the school system in the state with adequate preparation of the Students by giving free textbooks and notebooks, free JAMB class for the SS3, free extra-mural classes for SS3 Students; ongoing termly running costs that comprises of N400,000,000 to secondary schools and N126,000,000 to primary schools. Other interventions are: Special release of N500M Naira made to LAUTECH for outstanding salary payments; N200M Naira released to The Polytechnic, Ibadan for Accreditation of 15 programs; Sustenance of 100% monthly subvention to all the state-owned tertiary institutions; Establishment of Government Technical College (Junior) in Technical College, Ogbomoso to serve as feeder for Colleges at Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin and Saki; Oyo State Government has also paid the counterpart fund of N1.5 billion for 2019 and has also paid counterpart funding for 2018 left unpaid by the previous administration.
Paying special attention to underserved geographical areas in Oyo State, in order to ensure even spread of development, renovation of secondary school buildings are taking place in 22 Local Government Areas including the remotest part of the state. In all 60 Classrooms are undergoing renovation while 30 new classrooms are being constructed.They are to be completed within 6 weeks at a cost of N465,951,679.58 in the following schools:Ijokodo High School, Ijokodo
;Oluyole Estate Grammar School,Ibadan; Olubadan Grammar School, Orita Aperin;
Anglican Grammar School, Agbirigidi;Ifelodun Community Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan; Ajia Community High School, Ajia;Community High school, Bako, Omi-Adio;Durba Grammar School, Oyo;Fashola Grammar School, Oyo; School of Science, Oyo;Community Grammar School, Otamokun;Tewure Grammar School, Tewure;Ansarudeen High School, Hamama, Ogbomoso; Adimula Community Grammar School, Igboho; Islamic High School, Igbeti; Kisi Community High School, Kisi; Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Grammar School, Osogun; Otu Community Grammar School, Otu; Lajorun High School, Igboora; Okolo Community Grammar School,Okolo near, Eruwa;Muslim Secondary School, Agbonle, Saki;
Christ Grammar School, Saki
Attention to groups with special needs,
Governor Seyi Makinde appointed a Special Adviser on Special Needs Children/ Citizens of the State. He has also provided essential facilities and subvention to Special Homes accommodating special needs students/pupils. Ensuring the sustainability of externally supported Initiatives through the enhanced capacity building of officials.The state also ensured regular participation of its relevant officials at every capacity building workshops/meetings organized by UNICEF, UNESCO, World Bank and other International Development Partners (IDPs).
Matching his word with action, Governor Seyi Makinde repositioning the university and restoring its glory in line with the vision of its founding fathers by securing the Sole Ownership of LAUTECH for Oyo State. He also capped it with upgrade of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.
Effectively in Oyo State, the administration under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, is committed to one of the key pillars of this government, which is qualitative education and educational system. His administration has Institutionalise maintenance culture for physical facilities and infrastructure as well as renovation, construction and rehabilitation of structures and facilities across the state.
The significant touch was observed in the Educational Sector of Oyo State with the WASSCE ranking where the State moved from 26th position to 11th position in 2020 WAEC Examination, this highlight the progress made by effective policy of Governor Seyi Makinde on Education.
Truly, a positive thinkers are always do somethings new as parents of public school students has seen the random act of kindness of the state governor as this has make a tremendous impact on Educational System.
Bashorun Saintabey writes from Àgbókojó in Ibadan.
