BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Osun State Government has disclosed its readiness to address the problems bedeviling the state education sector.
The state government, through its Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, expressed worry that Osun is rated as the most poor in public examination performance, adding that the state is also having the largest out-of-school children in the South West.
Addressing a press conference at the conference room of the Ministry of Education on Friday, Eluwole said, “Available records have it that the state is rated as being the most poorly rated in public examination performance index which puts Osun State among the last three in the nation for some time now. The state is also having the largest out-of-school children in the South West Nigeria and probably the least in adequate teacher-pupil-ratio. These are descriptions that were alien to the State education sector in the past, because the founding fathers bequeathed a befitting education legacy to the State.”
He added that most renowned primary, secondary and state-owned tertiary institutions in Osun have been living on their past glories, noting that, “Osun education sectorial problems are quite hydra-headed and except an overhaul sectorial reform is taken fast, it could become irredeemable. That is why the state 2023 education summit is not only desirable but also timely.”
Eluwole highlighted some of the challenges confronting education sector in the state to include shortage of teachers and lectures, collapse of Infrastructure, non-functional school inspectorate services mandate of the state ministry of education, parents’ reckless abandonment of their roles as sponsors of their children’s education among others.
The Commissioner stressed that Osun education sectorial problems are quite hydra-headed and that except an overhaul sectorial reform is taken fast, it could become irredeemable.
Giving insights into the state 2023 education summit billed to take place between August 22 and 24, Eluwole said the summit would address “the rebirth of learner-centered policies that will make schools and its environment child-friendly, conducive, safe and motivating not just an ostentatious display of architectural wizardry.”
He said there would be critical look into the standard required for recruitment of teachers, lecturers and education officers without interference from the political class among other solution-driven areas.
In his remarks, the chairman of the education summit, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu, said, “The opening ceremony will hold at UNIOSUN Auditorium of which the Governor will declare Education Summit open. Immediately after that, we will have plenary and the chairman of that day is Oba Dr. Adedokun Omoloye Abolarin, Aroyinkeye 1, the Orangun of Oke-Ila. On that day, we are going to have a two-panel discussion in our mother tongue.
“That same day, we will have panel discussant 2 that will be in English language and the theme is Science, Technical Engineering and Mathematics Education and Food Security. Day 2 will hold at the Adolak event center where Prof Josiah Ajiboye will give lecture among other lecturers.”
