A member of the Oyo state house of assembly, Hon. Waheed Akintayo has admonished states across the country especially the Southwest zone of the Federation to take a cue from Oyo state has mandated public and private schools to resuscitate school gardens and agricultural practices.
Hon. Akintayo, representing Oluyole state constituency had on the 21st of May 2024 sponsored a motion during plenary on the need for government and other stakeholders in the education sector to embrace the reintroduction of school gardens in both public and private schools.
In the motion, Hon. Waheed Akintayo fondly called Ilumoka Presenter who said the motion was aimed at promoting and ensuring food security in Oyo state, urged the Executive Arm of Government through the Ministry of Education, science and Technology, TESCOM and SUBEB to issue circulars to Heads of public/ private primary and secondary schools in the State mandating them to resuscitate the practice of school gardens and inculcation of Agricultural practices(s) in students/ Pupils.
According to the motion, the lawmaker also urged the Executive to provide enabling environment and Logistics for Heads of public primary/secondary schools to implement the resuscitation of school Gardens.
The motion also implored Heads of public primary and secondary schools and proprietors or proprietress of private schools in the state to set aside a particular day in a week for Agricultural practical in a field or school gardens to address food shortage in the state.
However, in about a month after the motion, the state ministry of education, science and technology directed all public and private schools in Oyo state to resuscitate school gardens.
In a circular dated 24th June, 2024, the ministry also directed principals, heads of primary schools, proprietors of private schools to set aside a day of the week for agricultural practices in their schools’ garden.
The circular reads:
RE: RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE.
“I have the directive of the Honourable Commissioner to inform all the Schools in Oyo State, both Public and Private to comply with the following resolutions:
“The resuscitation of the former practice of “School Garden” and inculcate the practice of agriculture in pupils and students as a measure to improve food security in the State.
“The Chairman, TESCOM and Chairman, SUBEB to provide enabling environment and logistics for the Principals and Heads of Public, Primary and Secondary Schools.
“Principals and Heads of Public Primary Schools, Proprietor and Proprietress of Private Schools in the State to set aside a day in a week for agriculture practical in a school garden, poultry or rabbitry (as appropriate) to address food shortage in the State.
Reacting, Hon. Akintayo said such initiative would not only address the growing inflation in food prices but would serve as a motivation for pupils to embrace agriculture which he described as Nigeria’s mainstay of economy in the past.
The Oluyole lawmaker who had embarked on different developmental initiatives in his constituency such as the free enrolment of constituents into the state health insurance scheme, suggested that schools through the ministry of education and agriculture should partner research institutes within the state to achieve better results.
Hon. Akintayo said the goal of achieving food sufficiency is not only the responsibility of government, noting that every family should embrace farming or gardens at their homes to provide for the immediate needs of their families.
While commending Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde for his giant strides in the education and agriculture sectors, he stressed that history will not forget governor Makinde’s contributions to Oyo state.
The broadcaster cum lawmaker also appreciated the speaker of the house, Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the house leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, the co sponsor of the motion and colleagues for their supports at making the motion to see the light of the day.
“I want to sincerely appreciate Rt Hon Speaker @RT HON ADEBO OGUNDOYIN, House Leader, HON SANJO ADEDOYIN, my co sponsors on this motion and the entire house for your supports in passing this motion and making it a reality to resuscitate Agriculture in public schools in our dear state”.
