Parents Laud Aregbesola’s Dynamic Approach to Revitalizing Education in Osun
Reports coming in say Ogbeni Aregbesola’s achievement in the education sector has brought about mass withdrawal of students from private schools.
Parents of students attending public schools in the State of Osun have lauded the approach of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to the State’s education sector which they say has improved the lot of education since 2010.
In separate interviews with newsmen in Osogbo, some of the parents noted that the policies being implemented, which includes huge infrastructural investment of government in the erection of new model schools, as well as rehabilitation of existing ones are huge steps in the right direction.
They also applauded the quality of education delivered to students in the new model schools vis-a-vis proper monitoring and mentoring of students. They added that the convoking of regular P.T.A meetings among other initiatives have in a great deal contributed positively to the development of primary and post primary education in the State.
One of the parents who spoke with our correspondent, Adeomi Adegboyega Ajani said, “I am extremely happy with the situation of things in the school. The school is a testimony of the huge investment of government in making our children, the leaders of tomorrow.”
Another parent, Adekola Oluwatoyin said, “my child was formerly going to a private school. When he chose to be in science class in High School, I personally came to assess this school since I knew it was Ataoja School of Science before; and since he started coming here, I have noticed a great improvement in him. Every time he returns from school, he is always keen on doing his assignments because of the next day. I am glad to have made the wise decision to put my child in this school.”
“I have observed that in this and other model schools built by government, our children enjoy the best of the best facilities that are of international standards.”
As it stands, 500 new classrooms have been constructed in 20 elementary schools to accommodate 18,000 pupils, 550 classrooms constructed in 22 middle schools to take in 22,000 students while 11 high schools were completed to take in 33,000 students per session.
Asides the newly built schools, the State of Osun Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Universal Basic Education Board rehabilitated 1,811 classrooms in 277 model schools.
To complement the buildings and population, government provided 45 scholars’ buses that were distributed across the State to provide transport services to all school pupils at affordable rates.
In ensuring that adequate manpower are sourced to get the factual work of education done, more than 9,000 teachers were employed by the Rauf Aregbesola administration including 3,230 regular and 6,000 O’YES Volunteers with about 26,591 of the teachers across the State trained in 26 different training programmes and workshops.
The promotion of 17,057 teaching and non-teaching staff has helped motivate teachers, whilst the employment and subsequent deployment of Edu-Marshals has instilled discipline in public schools and ensure that students do not loiter around the State during school hours.
