Ogun state government approves 218 new schools between january and june – education ministry

Yanju Uwala in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Government has granted approval for the operations of 129 primary and 89 secondary schools in the State between January and June this year, as it also prepares for the resumption of academic session.

Penpushing reports that, this was made known by the management team of  the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology during the ongoing 2020 budget assessment of the Ministry before the members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology.

The management team include  the Special Adviser, Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo and her Technical and Vocational Education counterpart, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa,

Penpushing further reports that, the team said these were measures towards the reopening of academic institutions in the State,  which were implemented in phases, especially for students in terminal classes preparatory to the forthcoming West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination.

The team disclosed that all the ten tertiary institutions in the State have equally put in place all measures, while they explore the virtual learning platforms to engage students in continuation of academic calendars for effective learning process.

Penpushing also reports that, the team said part of the measures devised was to sink boreholes to supply water to the 10- point mechanized hand washing system in the 510 secondary schools, out of which 303 would be used for the examinations with adequate provision of isolation rooms to be managed by 350 newly trained health workers.

The management disclosed government’s readiness at providing personal protective kits like facemasks to pupils and teachers, adding that the ministry had provided a web-based system to determine the risk assessment put in place for schools after which certificate of compliance would be subsequently issued by the Ministry, adding that no fewer than 95 blocks of classrooms had been renovated in public primary and secondary schools across the State within the period.

Penpushing reports on the activities of the ministry during the off-school period occasioned bcoronavirus, Soyombo said the Education Management Information System in partnership with Microsoft was explored for the running of the ongoing DIGI class- an electronic platform that engaged over 25, 000 primary and secondary teachers to provide resources material including teaching notes for all subjects, with a view to ensuring standard in teaching and learning.

The Special Adviser assured that there are more incentives and manpower development programmes including training, while she also disclosed that plans were underway to have a-15 man committee governing body in schools to provide alternative funding and management plans for secondary school; such would comprise of stakeholders including philanthropists, alumni and representatives of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA).

Penpushing further reports that,the lawmakers commended the initiatives of the ministry, especially in the engagement of student in academic activities via the virtual platforms, and tasked the ministry to improve on her monitoring process to the schools with a view to upholding standard of excellence and academic performance for all categories of students.

The lawmakers also urged the Ministry and other agencies under it to orientate residents in the State on the need to tap into the rich potentials of technical education, describing it as a feasible alternative channel for gifted people to explore their skills irrespective of academic qualifications.