Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Governor of Osun State has, on Friday commissioned another in the chain of the mega-schools under the execution of his administration.
At the opening of the Government Middle School and Elementary School in Osogbo, the state capital, the governor lamented over what he called the shabby appearances of pupils and students in some of the public schools in the state.
The newly inaugurated model schools were part of the 96 model schools built by the Aregbesola-led administration.
Aregbesola said the education revolution was part of his administration’s resolves to build a new man in every child in the state, a decision which he said would help to sustain the future of the state.
He however expressed displeasure at the appearance of some pupils in some of the public schools in the state, a situation which he described as worrisome in view of the heavy investments made in education by the state.
The Governor, who implored parents to always see to the welfare of their children said henceforth the state as part of its effort to restore discipline would start operation- check- your-dress among the public schools pupils.
He said the stand order would further strengthen discipline in public schools and as well encourage neatness among the pupils and students.
“We have state-of-the-arts schools with quality finishing. Our schools are incomparable most especially the facilities therein. We have put in place schools with beautiful environment conducive for learning and teaching.
“And for any parent to complement this gesture, his or her child must appear very neat to school. It is in view of that we urge our people to support education.
“This does not lie on parents alone, our teachers too must do the needful and ensure that every child is encouraged on neatness”, he stressed.
In her welcome address, the Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomori, said the state has succeeded in the implementation of all its policies and programmes as promised in the education sector.
Tomori, who described Governor Aregbesola as a political pathfinder whose passion for education has no limit, said the present administration has successfully built 96 schools across the state.
She explained that 40 elementary schools have been constructed, while 45 middle and 11 high schools are also being completed for use across the nooks and crannies of the state.
Tomori attributed the feat to unwavering commitment attached to education by the Aregbesola led government in the state.
He said the state has successfully raised the bar of teaching and learning in the public education sector.
The Deputy Governor, however said the state has designed a roadmap aimed at ensuring all round infrastructural and human development in the education sector without socio-economic or political backgrounds of the citizens.
According to her, the state has been building a lifetime assets in the education sector as many of its achievements are designed not only to improve the standard of education but to as well guarantee brighter future for the present and incoming generations.
“We have built 96 public schools across the state since inception of this administration out of which 40 elementary; 45 middle and 11 high schools across the nooks and crannies of this state.
“We have rehabilitated several blocks of classrooms to ensure that the necessary infrastructures, teaching and learning aids are provided to revamp the education sector in the state.
“This is unfiltered assets. Unprecedented legacy in the political annals of this state and Nigeria. It shows our indomitable determination to raise the standard of education beyond human imagination.
“The achievements made so far by our administration shows that we are unstoppable. We have set pace for others in education sector and we remain the model to which others copy to design their policies on education sector.
“Our schools are architectural masterpieces that can never be found elsewhere in Africa. Our schools are unique, different and incomparable in terms of quality and standard which were designed in line with international best practices.
“The environment of our schools are simple, attractive, beautiful, conducive for teaching and learning with state-of-the-arts infrastructural facilities.
Itemizing the characteristics of the newly commissioned school, Tomori said the school has the capacity to accommodate 940 pupils with 46 classrooms.
She added, “This new school has a large examination hall; modern toilets, ICT room, library, multi-purpose hall, staff rooms, dinning rooms, etc.
“This school has security department for the protection of the facilities. It is well fenced for effective security. It has water among others.
“We have made physical education compulsory with the provision of physical education facilities.”
She therefore pledged that the state would continue to maintain high level of discipline just as she appealed to pupils, teachers and parents to put the facilities to best use so as to justify the purpose to which they were procured.
In his remarks, the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo, said the commissioning assumed another dimension by being two in one, consisting of an elementary school as well as the nine hundred capacity storey building middle school.
He stated that the Universal Basic Education in Abuja also testified to the sterling performance of the state in the area of education, describing it as something worth of emulation.
Awofisayo said SUBEB and all the local governments in the state have pledged to do everything within their reach to continue to support and mobilise the public to continue to team up with government in its laudable achievements.
He promised that SUBEB would always ensure that all the school buildings and facilities therein are properly maintained and safeguarded.
He said: “There is no single project that could be said to be abandoned in the state. Quality work and best performance are the hallmarks of Osun SUBEB.”
In his remarks, the Osun ANCOPSS President, Mr. Dahunsi Osidina, commended Governor Aregbesola for changing the lives of children in the state through the provision of quality, qualitative and functional education.
He hailed the leadership of the present administration in the state for motivating and taking care of the teachers welfares in the state.
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
