EDITORIAL: Housing Teachers In Osun

 

• Teachers Getting Their Rewards On Earth, Thanks To Gov. Aregbesola

Besides what makes the tummy yummy, sound health, among other man’s basic needs from time immemorial have been where to have his head laid.

 Not owning one has same telling effect whether in a calm and quiet Osogbo, the lush Federal capital territory, Abuja or the densely populated centers of Excellence as it has been observed that owning a home does not only provide a sense of economic security, but plays a significant role in providing individuals with greater economic security as well as reducing the temptation to engage in corrupt practices.

However, there is a cheery news for teachers in Osun state who never thought of owning a house of their own due to other commitments. The Osun State Universal Basic Education of the state under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the Federal ministry of Education have embarked on a housing scheme for all teachers in the state. What this means is that they can now have a home of their own.

The Housing scheme, the first in the Southwest will have a minimum of 50 houses per location with a community centre, shopping mall, an elementary and middle school, private health centre among other things that would make life comfortable for the teachers. Essentially it will be an economic zone of prosperity.

The houses, 3 bedroom flats will cost each teacher below #5m. In the words of the Executive Chairman of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, Prince Felix Awofisayo, “To be a beneficiary,” You must be a teacher in the state and have an agreed token been deducted for 6months from your salary. The rest is spread between 15 and 25 years, depending on the number of years you have left in service”.

 Meanwhile, the prototype, built at Onikoko in Ile-Ife is now completed and would be commissioned before the expiration of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s tenure.

Of course, a lot has been said about the poor welfare of teachers in this part of the world which is reiterated in the axiom that the reward of a teacher is in heaven.  Their inadequate welfare is being touted as one the major reasons for the falling standard of the education sector. We see this initiative as another groundbreaking effort which has added another feather to the cap of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who in a couple of days would be bowing out with his head high. Now, teachers in Osun will have one of the basic needs of humans as rewards, not in heaven but here on earth where they have toil. We consider an initiative of this nature would not only buoy teachers in the state to give their hearts out but it would further levitate the sector in the state of Osun.

Also, with this, the governor has silenced the   never -mean-well individuals in the state who have been peddling falsehood about the governor’s lack of compassion for the teachers. He has not only built schools for the pupils, he is also housing the teachers.

There is no doubt in the fact that Governor Aregbesola has more than delivered on his electoral promises as enshrined in his Six-Point Integral Action Plan, entitled ‘My pact with the people of Osun’, also known as the “Green Book” . If there’s anyone still, this has settled the scores.

As we laud the governor on this, other stakeholders whose effort made this come to fruition must not go unnoticed, including the SUBEB chairman, Prince Felix Awofisayo,  C. E. O Prosolve Associates Nig Ltd,  Dr.  Yemi Adegoke, Director of Admin and Supply, Fatai Oyebamiji, and NUT chairman, Wakili Alade.