Tag: Oyo

The Oyo state government has said it would work with Education secretaries, and heads of sections in all local governments towards shutting down substandard primary schools in the state.

The commissioner for education, science and technology, Prof. Soliu Adelabu, in a meeting with basic education stakeholders on Wednesday said “mushroom” schools would not be allowed to operate in the state.

Speaking in Ibadan, he said the ministry and OYOSUBEB will work closely with relevant stakeholders to tighten the noose on operators of mushroom primary schools.

He charged the education secretaries, and heads of Sections in the 33 local government areas of the state to get set, as the meeting was part of steps and institutional preparations towards the crackdown.

Prof. Adelabu, who expressed dissatisfaction with the report he gathered on the field, during a recent inspection, identified ways to forestall some basic errors in the basic education sub-sector.

He called for unwavering commitment by all stakeholders, charging them to be part of the moving train, to better the lots of children in the basic education sub-sector.

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The Commissioner also admonished relevant stakeholders, to step up their game in the proper supervision of schools under their watch.

He said: “Let us commit ourselves to the betterment of our public schools, as this will ultimately impact the lives and future of the students under our care.”

The commissioner also said that the state government under the supervision of Governor Seyi Makinde is making moves to address infrastructural decay in primary schools.

He noted that the governor had given the ministry a matching order to identify schools with urgent need of infrastructural overhaul.

He added: “The Oyo state government is doing everything possible to bring every child of school age on board. However, we must not compromise our commitment to quality and standard education in the state”.

Speaking on the lingering issue of recruitment of primary school teachers, the Education commissioner said, “We are aware that teachers are retiring, and the staff strength in our primary schools is reducing. I assure you that, by God’s grace, we will recruit more teachers in the basic education sector by February 2024.”

The commissioner stressed that standards in education must not dwindle, and appealed to education secretaries and private school owners to take the issue of standards in schools seriously.

Speaking earlier, the coordinating director, OYOSUBEB, Mrs Olaide Ladipo said the board is committed to the betterment of public primary schools.

She noted that the recent inspection of the Commissioner for Education, along with the management team of OYOSUBEB brought forth the areas where schools fall short, and where urgent attention is needed.

Represented by the director of administration and supply, David Isola, the coordinating director, said the meeting serves as a pivotal platform to address the challenges.

In his response, on behalf of his colleagues, the education secretary of Ido local government, Bukola Adigun, assured the state government of their dedication to improving education in the state.

The meeting was attended by Education Secretaries from 33 local government areas. It also had in attendance Heads of Sections in the 33 local governments from Standard and Quality Assurance; Schools Services; Planning Research and Statistics among others.

As part of measures to avert an impending strike action, labour leaders in Oyo state have begun an emergency negotiation meeting with government officials.

The labour team members at the meeting include Comrade Kayode Martins (NLC Chairman), Comrade Bosun Olabiyi (TUC Chairman), Comrade Olaonipekun Oluwaseun (JNC Public Service Chairman), and Comrade Segun Abatan (Secretary, NUP).

It was gathered that the meeting was led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Olanike Adeyemo, who was accompanied by the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni among others.

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While the meeting is ongoing, members of the NLC, TUC and their affiliates in their hundreds are at the entrance gate singing solidarity songs.

Mild drama ensued while the workers sang and danced as the security operatives called for backup.

The arrival of the men of the state anti-crime task force codenamed Operation Burst caused a lot of scare as a little altercation started between the security operatives and the workers.

Normalcy was however restored as some of the labour leaders on the ground and some senior military officers brokered peace.

Without prompt intervention from the state government, Oyo workers and pensioners represented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliated groups might initiate an indefinite strike in the state starting on Monday, November 6.

A congress where the decision might be taken had been fixed for Monday morning by the Labour leaders as parts of the decision taken at the State Advisory Council (SAC) and State Executive Council (SEC) meetings of the two Labour centres at the Labour House, American Quarters, Agodi, Ibadan last week.

Arising from the meeting, the labour leaders had directed all workers to pick their personal effects and assemble at the Labour House on Monday morning for briefing and update on the ongoing negotiations between the government and the Labour unions, particularly on the wage award and welfare of workers and Pensioners in the state.

The labour leaders also at the meeting condemned the attack on the National President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajero in Imo state last week Wednesday.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting reads in part “We, the Oyo State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), stand united and strongly condemn in totality the recent attack on the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigerian Police in Imo State on Wednesday 2nd November 2023 by the government of Hope Uzodinma and police Force.

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It said: “We view this egregious incident as an affront to the fundamental rights and liberties of the Nigerian labour force and an alarming manifestation of the tyrannical tendencies displayed by some state governments towards the labour movement.

“It is evident that the principles of social justice and the rights of workers are being disregarded in some quarters. We strongly assert that the labour movement is a vital pillar of our democracy and must be allowed to function without fear of harassment or intimidation.

“In conclusion, we, the Oyo State NLC and TUC, wish to make it clear that we will not take this attack on the National President of the NLC or any Labour leader lightly. We stand resolute in our commitment to defending the rights and welfare of workers in Oyo state and throughout Nigeria.

“We call upon the labour community, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning Nigerians to join us in condemning this act and demanding justice, only constructive negotiations that would lead to agreements and implementation can lead to good governance.

“Our struggle for workers’ rights and social justice will not be deterred by acts of tyranny. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a just and equitable society, where the rights and dignity of all workers are upheld and protected.

“After the expiration of the ultimatum served on the State government who are yet to proffer lasting solution to our grievances, all workers (should pick all their personal belongings from office on Friday 3rd November 2023) and Pensioners in the state are to resume at NLC Secretariat Agodi Gate on Monday 6th November 2023 for the largest Congress in the history of Oyo state for further directive.

“We condemn the continued verbal assault and insult by the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr Titi-Lola Sodo to workers, Pensioners, and the Labour Movement of Oyo state.”