- Flags Off Distribution Of Instructional Materials To Public Primary Schools
Dr Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State has flagged off the distribution of instructional materials to public primary schools in the state with a pledge that his administration would continue to place high premium on education in spite of competing needs and the meager resources accruing to the state
Speaking during the flag off ceremony in Ado-Ekiti , Governor Fayemi who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Foluso Daramola described basic education as inalienable right of every child and the greatest asset one can bequeath to them.
He noted that his administration had been responsive to its obligations to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with the payment all arrears of counterpart funds owed by the immediate past administration which has endangered the bond of unity between UBEC and the State Government, adding that this move had made it possible for the state to access UBEC funds up to 2018.
According to the Governor, the State Government was presently using recently accessed UBEC/SUBEB funds up to 2015 for the renovation of 83 blocks of classrooms, construction of 76 blocks of classrooms as well as the construction of 91 units of 4 cubicle toilets and perimeter fence in 42 schools across the state.
Other ongoing projects include procurement of 8,075 units of plastic desks and chairs for pupils, construction of 3,375 units of metal legged students lockers and chairs as well as 4,150 teachers tables and chairs.
While lauding teachers in the state for their commitment to duties, Fayemi pledged the resolve of his administration to give topmost priority the welfare of teachers.
He also disclosed that his administration had approved the immediate payment of running grants for first, second and second and third terms of 2018/2019 to all public primary schools in the state.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof Fransisca Aladejana for his commitment to the to the growth of education in the state through the various attention given to the requests of the board in the areas of provision of instructional materials to public primary schools, payment of counterpart funds to UBEC, abolition of the payment of fees and the introduction of Home Grown School Feeding programme among others.
She enumerated the items to be distributed to schools to include 72 solar panels, 65 computers with e-learning software, 2 generating sets, 4 plaything materials, 4 merry go rounds, 20,445 different types of storybooks for library use and 11,700 charts.
Aladejana pledged the commitment of SUBEB Management to work tirelessly towards achieving the mission of revitalizing and overhauling the basic education sector in the state.
In his goodwill message, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji commended primary school teachers in the state for their diligence noting that primary school teachers have a pivotal role to play in achieving the mission of the present administration of restoring the lost values of the state and giving the state knowledge Economy a pride of place.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State UBEC Representative, Mr. Joshua Arema pledged the commitment of UBEC to collaborate with Ekiti SUBEB in the quest to make qualitative basic education accessible to all children of school age in the state.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
