As part of its plans to radically reform education in Oyo State, the Abiola Ajimobi-led government has harmonised the School Governing Board (SGB) policy into Oyo State Model Education System Interventions (OYOMESI).
This emerged at the stakeholders meeting between the OYOMESI Project Committee under the supervision of Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi and chairmen of the School Governing Boards across the state to fashion out how to enrich educational content to uplift the moral values of students in the state, held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Dr Akin-Alabi explained that the recent educational policy of OYOMESI embarked upon by Governor Ajimobi has brought the state into the recognition by the international community, specifically, Ibadan was made a learning city by the UNESCO.
She noted that all the recent policicies on education like the SGB, abolition of automatic promotion, 80 percent attendance by pupils and OYOMESI are to restored the lost glory of education in the state. She added that Oyo State Model Education System Interventions is to encourage positive character and uplift moral values in the state education system.
Dr Akin-Alabi, while explaining the three ‘strands of OYOMESI’ to the SGB chairmen, opined that the first strand focuses on Character Building Education, second strand is on Localized Education Content, while the third strand has to do with Improving Teachers’ Competencies and Motivation.
The Special Adviser, revealed that the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi will unveil eight Clauster Learning and resource Centres, adding that each Centre will be equipped with digital literacy suite complete with 100 computer systems, scanners, and printers with a standard laboratory for all science subjects.
Dr Akin-Alabi also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Texhnology, having noticed efforts of the state government in restoring academic excellence has approved the use of world class laboratory belonging to the Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory Technology in Samonda for WAEC boot camp by OYOMESI to prepare for WAEC practicals.
While seeking the support of the SGB chairmen, she commended them for their efforts in ensuring that goals and objectives of government to set up the school governing board are realized.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, Engr Oyedele Moses Oyeniran, who is the Chairman, SGB, Community Secondary School (junior), Bioku Alaadun, Ona-Ara Local Government, commended the State Governor, Senator Ajimobi for the effort he is putting in place to build solid foundation for educational development in the state, particularly the steps taken to improve students’ performance in external examinations.
He disclosed that the idea of SGB, which gives room for stakeholders’ participation directly in the affairs of the school has helped a lot.
Engr Oyedele Moses promised the support and cooperation of the chairmen of SGB towards the success of OYOMESI agenda. He, however, urged Dr Akin-Alabi to work out all the gray areas identified by chairmen of various school, particularly on the issues of professional counselor and implementation of government policies.
Mr. Adekola Adewuyi, Special Assistant on Education, in his remark, stated that the focus of government is to consolidate on unprecedented achievement recorded in the recently released WAEC result, which the state recorded over 54 percent.
Adekola promised that the government will not relent in ensuring that education in the state returns to the number one position that it is known for among states in the federation.
He therefore, requested for the cooperation of relevant stakeholders.
There was a presentation by Mr. Sikiru Abass, a representative from Microsoft Imagine Academy, one of the collaborators of OYOMESI programmes on how to prepare Oyo State students for careers in a technology driven world.
The OYOMESI team had earlier met with the Oke-Zone of governing board on the same subject matter.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
