The Oyo State Government has urged parents in Oriire Local Government Area to ensure their children return to school, following the continued absence of pupils from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, after a recent abduction in the area.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, made the call on Tuesday during a working visit to rescued learners, teachers and members of the affected communities at Ahoro Dada in Oriire Local Government Area.
Olayiwola, who led senior officials from the ministry on the visit, met with students, teachers, parents, traditional rulers, security personnel and other stakeholders to discuss measures to facilitate the safe resumption of academic activities.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the commissioner expressed concern over the level of preparedness observed in some schools and urged education officials to demonstrate greater commitment and efficiency in carrying out their duties.
At Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, the delegation observed that academic activities had yet to resume for the new session.
Olayiwola also interacted with parents and children in the community, where concerns were raised over pupils who had not returned to school but were instead learning various skills during school hours.
The commissioner subsequently directed relevant officials to follow up on the affected children and facilitate their return to school to prevent an increase in the number of out-of-school children in the state.
He also directed the Director of Basic Education to engage the Nigerian Baptist Conference on possible interventions to support the school and prevent its closure, noting that the institution is owned by the Conference.
During a courtesy visit to the Elesinele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, Olayiwola sought the traditional institution’s continued support for the restoration of normal educational activities in the community.
The monarch reaffirmed the palace’s support for schools and teachers in the area, adding that accommodation had been provided for government teachers.
He, however, expressed concern over the continued use of the community’s Primary Health Centre as accommodation for military personnel, saying it was affecting the activities of medical workers.
At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, Olayiwola directed the Tutor General to facilitate the deployment of additional teachers following complaints about staff shortages, particularly in Mathematics.
The commissioner also received an appeal from Parent-Teacher Association teachers seeking absorption into the Teaching Service Commission, citing their continued service to the school before, during and after the security incident.
He directed the Tutor General to prepare a submission on the engagement of qualified indigenes of the community willing to teach, for consideration by the state government.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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