Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Owo Diocese, Rt Rev Solomon Adegbite, has clamoured for a conducive learning environment for pupils.
Rev. Adegbite expressed disappointment at the state of many public schools where poor facilities have dehumanised pupils and teachers.
In a telephone chat with The Nation, the cleric said: “Education must be done in a conducive atmosphere. Some so-called classrooms are no class rooms at all. The poor facilities are not supposed to be. People should learn only in conducive environment. Even if it is not 100 per cent, let it be minimally conducive. Anywhere that people would be dehumanised should not be used to teach our children.”
Once the nation gets it right at the basic education level, the cleric is optimistic the rate of illiteracy would reduce and people would be more enlightened.
Also speaking, Presiding pastor of Ori Oke Baba Abiye, a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) prayer mountain in Ede, Osun State,
Prophet Funso Akande, who condemned delays in teachers’ salaries, advised the incoming government not to toe the same line.
Akande said many teachers are losing their zeal to work because of poor motivation, hence they now channel their efforts to other businesses, rather than their professional calling.
He said: “Teachers are not being paid well so the efforts they put into their job is only 20 per cent, while the remaining 80 per cent goes into their private businesses. That is why they sell goods in schools. But if they are well-paid and as at when due, they will show more concentration on their jobs.”
The cleric advised the incoming government to imbibe the fear of God and fulfil their promises to the people since they will still need them in future.
“It is the same door with which you come into your house that equally serves as an exit. So if you shut the door violently against them (the people) when you enter and it gets spoiled in the process, that door may just not be available when next you need it,” he said.
