The Oyo State government has been commended for its efforts to return the school system back to the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when discipline and respect for constituted authorities reigned supreme.
The commendation was given by stakeholders in the education sector of the state in an interactive session, which lasted two weeks tagged “Stakeholders Buy In” organized by ‘OYOMESI’ Project Committee (OPC) held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Stakeholders, comprising of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Association of Primary School Head teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Parents Teachers Association (PTA), students, private school owners, publishers and publishing outfits, traditional councils, religious leaders, market men and women and members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), all attended to have more knowledge of what OYOMESI Agenda is all about and roles expected of them.
In a chat with pmparrotng.com, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Bisi Akin-Alabi disclosed that for Oyo State to regain her number one position as far as education is concerned in the country; there is need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders irrespective of religious or political affiliation.
Dr. Akin-Alabi, while explaining what ‘OYOMESI’ is all about, stated that the agenda is to promote students’ achievement and preparing them for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensure equal access for all.
She added that the initiative will assist in raising competent, civil citizens and prepare Oyo State for a knowledge-based future with the use of technology to create participative, transparent and responsive learning environment to improve quality of basic education and promote independent and lifelong learning.
While speaking on role expected of traditional councils, Dr. Akin-Alabi described traditional leaders as custodians of our cultural heritage and tradition that needed to be acknowledged and recognized as positive role models. She added that virtue and wealth of historical knowledge attached to the throne will assist in improving on the character building education of students to stem growth of anti-social behaviors among them.
In their separate reactions, Chief Ogunsola Anisere Kayode, Mogaji of Anisere Compound, Ibadan and a religious leader from Ilorin Community, Ibadan, Alh. Basir Sheu Kabir commended the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi for returning education to the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when there was high respect and discipline not only for teachers but also constituted authorities.
Both traditional and religious leaders explained that priority given to certificate at the expense of moral education contributes more to the increase in anti-social behaviors exhibited by students and fall in standard of education. They urged parents, teachers and relevant stakeholders to join hands with government to achieve her objectives.
They advised the State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi to focus more on developmental programmes that will benefit the state, rather than, allow himself to be distracted by politicians, who only care about their selfish interests.
Oyo State Model Education System Interventions (OYOMESI) is a group of intervention strategies to give the state quick fix in the education sector to close the gap and improve attainments of students. It involves three strands of Character Building Education, Introducing Localized Education Contents and Improving Teachers’ Competence and Motivation.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
