Education

Address public school land encroachment – OYHA lawmaker

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By Mosope Kehinde

The Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, has urged the executive to take proactive and decisive steps towards addressing the menace of land grabbing and encroachment of public school lands across the state. 

The appeal followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing the Oluyole State constituency, Mr Waheed Akintayo on Tuesday during a plenary presided over by the speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin.

Presenting the motion, Mr Akintayo expressed displeasure that the situation in some government schools which were surrounded by indiscriminate erection of kiosks and illegal structures was problematic, making the environment unconducive for teaching and learning.

“It is disheartening to state that virtually all public school lands in the state had been encroached upon by unscrupulous individuals leaving the school environment not conducive for learning”. He stated 

“Government over the years has paid lip service to the issue of encroachment of its landed properties. Most of these schools have been so bastardized to the extent that the proliferation of illegal structures be it residential or commercial have taken three-quarters or half possession of some public school lands in the state,” he revealed 

Mr Akintayo called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), to collaborate with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Office of Surveyor-General to set up an inter-ministerial committee to look into the original master plans or designs of some of the encroached public schools to erect perimeter fencing or corner piece.

In his resolutions, the speaker of the house, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin directed the Oyo State Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to expedite action in clearing shops and kiosks around public school premises across the state.

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Education

Ogun Lawmakers Task Education Ministry on Improved Supervision of Schools

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Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has been charged to redouble their effort at ensuring effective assessment and supervision of public schools by the Zonal Education Officers across the State.

Members, Committee on Education, Science and Technology, led by the Chairman, Mr Ademuyiwa Adeyemi gave the charge during the ongoing second quarter budget performance assessment of Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

The lawmakers explained that it had become necessary for the Zonal Officers, especially those at the rural areas, to always provide accurate and information about all schools under their jurisdiction, towards addressing the needs of the various schools. 

Responding, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, noted that the ministry had just launched the State Education Revitalization Agenda, OGSERA, an online  database platform that provides details of all pupils in both government primary and secondary schools.

The Commissioner explained that the new entrants and students seeking transfer into government owned primary and secondary schools would be issued new identification number, which would equally checkmate illegal registration of students.

In another development, the lawmakers challenged the management team of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to always ensure strict adherence to accounting procedures, thereby achieving proper classification of revenue and expenditures of its budget report. 

The lawmakers also appraised the budget performance report of Ministry of Justice, State High Court, High Court of Justice, Judicial Service Commission, Customary Court of Appeal, Teaching Service Commission. 

Others are Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute, Oni, Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, Sikiru Kayode Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu, Ijebu and the State College of Health Technology, Ilese among others.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Education

Cooperation, synergy needed to advance educational sector – Oyo Commissioner

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Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Rahman Abdulraheem has reemphasized the need for stakeholders to interface with the government at ensuring education becomes more accessible.

Mr Abdulraheem made this known in Ibadan at a day stakeholders’ meeting aimed at presenting research findings on improving the system of education in Oyo State.

A cross-section of participants at the stakeholders’ meeting

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaja Aminat Atere, the commissioner identified consistent partnership with key players as a way of developing and funding the education sector.

Mr Abdulraheem who maintained that education remains the most important investment any government could make said illiteracy was a major reason millions of people live in extreme poverty.

Also speaking, the convener, Director of Research, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa, CSEA, Dr Adedeji Adeniran commended policies of the Oyo State government at raising education standards in the state.

While stressing the significance of research to societal development, Dr Adeniran said the state government can overcome challenges in the sector if research findings can be implemented and monitored.

Some participants who spoke with Radio Nigeria, suggested improved security and infrastructure in schools as well as the provision of special incentives and conducive accommodation for teachers at the grassroots to encourage them to deliver optimally. 

They emphasised the need for teachers to upgrade on teaching techniques, using indigenous languages and pictorial examples for illustration, to improve understanding and increase pupils’ attendance at the grassroots.

About fifty participants across Oyo State attended the programme.

Mosope Kehinde

Judiciary

Sexual Abuse: We need parents, caregivers’ support – Oyo AG

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For justice to be served for survivors of child sexual abuse and rape there is the need for strong synergy among caregivers, medical practitioners, law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations.

This formed part of resolutions at a stakeholders’ roundtable dialogue on response to child sexual abuse in Ibadan.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said cases of child sexual abuse against perpetrators hit major setbacks when family members frustrate legal processes by refusing to cooperate with relevant agencies.

Represented by the coordinator, Oyo State Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team, Mrs Dupe Awosemusi, the Attorney General also highlighted lack or improper medical report of the victim, withdrawal of interest from victims and pressure from the community as another bane of justice delivery.

Professor Oyewo who disclosed that eighty per cent of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are family members urged parents to be vigilant and protect their children, especially during the Yuletide when people are likely to visit.

In his contribution, a chief consultant, Forensic Pathology, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Dr Uwom Eze said the improper ways of collecting forensic evidence from survivor of child sexual abuse by some medical practitioners have stalled justice for victims.

Dr Eze Advised any child who is sexually abused to immediately visit the one-stop-shop centre where all necessary assistances are available for such cases.

Also speaking, a research scientist from Tai Sholarin University, Ogun State, Professor Samuel Oladipo while presenting recent findings on survivors of sexual abuse in Nigeria, said many were victims of circumstances from broken homes.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Convener, Executive Director, Hope for Second Chance Foundation, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile said the stakeholders’ dialogue was borne out of the increasing cases of child sexual abuse despite the fight against the menace over the years.

Present at the stakeholders’ dialogue were community leaders, police, representatives of the Ministry of Education, National Human Rights Commission and CSOs.

Mosope Kehinde

Education

FG Bans SS1&2 Unity School Students From Taking WAEC, NECO, NABTEB Exams

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The Nigerian Government has stopped students in Senior Secondary School 1 and 2 from participating in external West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The students are also banned from taking the National Examination Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

The development was contained in a circular issued to principals of federal Unity Schools by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The circular was signed by the ministry’s Director, Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, and confirmed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, on Friday.

The circular read, “The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the flagrant disregard to its directive on (the) writing of external examinations such as NABTEB (NTC and NBC), WASSCE, NECO (SSCE) by SS1 and SS2 students.

“Students who are involved in the practice find it difficult to settle down on serious studies. They become unruly and distract other students from achieving their goals.

“Any student caught to have written any of the above examinations in SS1 or SS2 classes will be expelled from the college”.

“All students must write these examinations after they have been duly registered for the examination by the college”.

“All students of Federal Unity College should adhere strictly to the content of this circular. And Principals are advised to bring the content of this circular to the knowledge of all parents of the college.”

The Guardian

Health

PWDs In Osun Seek Improved Access To Education, Healthcare, Justice

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A cross-section of stakeholders in Osun State want persons with disability to have equal opportunity and access to good healthcare, education and justice with other people in the country.

They made the call in Osogbo at the inauguration of the State Disability Inclusion Project for September 2021 to August 2022 designed by the Albino Foundation and other Civil Society Organizations, CSOs.

According to the organizers of the event, which are mostly non-governmental bodies, including the Osun State Ministries of Health, Education, and Justice, the Disability Inclusion Project sponsored by the Disability Rights Foundation, is to facilitate easy access to basic needs of persons with disability in government departments and agencies.

They appreciated the efforts of government at making life better for them but lamented the stigmatization and the attitude of other members of the public to their disabilities.

Speaking on the project, some stakeholders, including the General Manager, Radio Nigeria Gold FM, Mr. Adedamola Tinubu, promised that the station would continue to promote peaceful coexistence, as well as show love and care to the persons with disabilities.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Project Advocacy Steering Committee, Mr. Bukola Idowu, pledged that the members would do everything possible to improve the understanding of key officers of the ministries of Education, Health and Justice on disability inclusion, thereby engendering imoroved inclusion and accessibility to better services for persons with disabilities.

Earlier, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer, Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle, explained that the Disability Inclusion Project was to influence government policies and programmes in Osun State towards promoting inclusion and mainstreaming of disability for equal access to services and intervention.

Mr. Epelle emphasized the need for the Advocacy Steering Committee to work together with other stakeholders and create a conducive society for persons with disability to live in.

Funmi Adekoya

Education

Principals, School Proprietors, Protest 12,000 Naira Govt. Security Seminar Fee

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Principals, secondary school teachers and proprietors of private Secondary Schools in Ondo state have protested the directive of the state government asking them to pay a sum of 12,000 naira per school as compulsory fee for a proposed seminar on security.

The proposed security workshop is being organised by the Public Service Training Institute, PSTI, while a circular was issued to that effect by the Ministry of Education.

In the circular, the ministry directed that every secondary school both public and private in the state should provide a principal and two teachers and pay a sum of 4,000 naira each for the selected participants.

The principals, teachers and private schools proprietors however described the directive as strange and unacceptable, considering various financial challenges facing many public schools occasioned by lack of running grants.

In separate letters, addressed to the Head of Service, the Ondo State chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Nigeria, ASUSS, Comrade Balogun Tajudeen and the President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Mr. Johnbull Mebawondu urged the state government to reverse its directive and make the seminar free in the interest of all stakeholders. 

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the Head of Service in the state, Mr. John Adeyemo, said efforts were ongoing towards ensuring that schools reduce the number of participants.

Mr. Adeyemo also debunked the allegation that the seminar was meant to enriching some people in government.

Kayode Animasaun

Education

UI Senate Recommends DVC for Acting VC Office

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Sequel to the directive of the Ministry of Education through the National Universities Commission that the Senate of the University of Ibadan should select someone for the position of acting Vice Chancellor of the University, the Senate has recommended Prof Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic to the governing council of the institution.

The recommendation came after Prof Ekanola polled 275 votes beating other four contestants to the position. The Senate arrived at the decision after a meeting it held on Monday.

Other contestants for the position included Professor Olanike Adeyemo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Strategic Partnerships)who scored13 votes, Prof. A. Oluleye, former Dean, Fauclty of Technology, with 80 votes, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic) scored 15 votes and Prof Gbemisola Oke, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, got 14 votes.

The election which held at the International Conference Centre, UI was presided over by the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun.

 According to the Senate, “It was, as expected, a tough meeting but one thoroughly guided by adherence to standard procedures. First Senate decided that the process would be, not by consensus but by voting.” “Arriving on this agreement took about two hours of discussion.” The Senate said, it called for nominations and seconding of nominations from members.

According to speakers at the meeting, it was important that Senate took a united decision with demonstrated transparency in order to guard the autonomy of the university and prevent interference from government and politicians. Members of Senate were therefore duly accredited afresh, and voting took place through secret ballot.

Vanguard

Education

Osun Government Approves Hijabs For Schools

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After years of legal framework, the Osun State Government has finally
approved the use of hijab in public schools.

According to the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Education, Mrs
Christianah Olaniyan, only female students are allowed to use the
the religious dress that it should not be below the navel.

Mrs Olaniyan said the hijab should not be made compulsory by school
authorities for all students, especially non-Muslims.

She therefore warned public schools against flouting the directive,
stressing that the move would be in contempt of court.

It will be recalled that the state Muslim community in February 2013
took government to court seeking an order granting female Muslim
students the permission to use hijab in schools.

The court granted the order with a clause that the hijab should not be
below the navel of the female students.

Wasiu Ajadosu

Education

Resumption: We will close non-complying schools – Ondo Govt.

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The Ondo State government has threatened to temporarily close down secondary schools that fail to adhere strictly to the protocols against COVID-19 as SS3 students resumed for the preparations of WAEC and NECO Examinations.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored resumption of students in Akure the state capital reports that many secondary schools observed all preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Students were seen wearing face masks while hand washing buckets with liquid soaps were placed at strategic places in schools that have also been fumigated.

Infrared thermometers were also used at the entrance of the gates while classes were arranged to follow social distancing protocol.

Addressing newsmen during a tour, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Akin Asaniyan who expressed satisfaction with what he saw on ground, said some schools were yet to fully comply with the guidelines for resumption.

Mr Asaniyan said monitoring team would be going round the state to inspect and close down schools that fail to comply until they do the needful. 

Some teachers of secondary schools as well as the Senior Secondary Schools 3 students who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed readiness and preparedness ahead of WAEC and NECO exams, promising to make the state proud when results are released.

Kayode Animasaun

Education

Oyo Government Releases School Resumption Calendar

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Press Release

Oyo State Calendar for Schools Resumption and Examination For Terminal Classes

The Oyo State Executive Council at its meeting 21st of July 2020 has approved the academic calendar to guide resumption of schools and other associated educational activities in the state.

According to the approved calendar, Third Term 2019/2020 session has been cancelled and promotion of students, for all affected classes, will now be determined by First and Second Term Continuous Assessment.

Pry 6, JSS 3 and SSS 3 will proceed on holiday from 30th of July and resume for their examination as follows;

Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) – 10th to 18th August 2020

Competitive Entrance Examination into the Schools of Science – 19th August 2020

Placement/Screening Test to JSS1 – 20th August 2020

Placement Test into Technical Colleges – 28th August 2020

The SSS 3 will resume for their examination as soon as WAEC announce the date.

The 2020/21 academic session, according to the calendar approved by the State Council is as follows;

First Term – 21th September to 18th December 2020

Second Term – 11th January to 9th April 2021

Third Term – 3rd May to 30th July 2021

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology enjoins all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the details of the academic calendar.

Signed

Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology

Health

Covid-19: FG Orders Closure of Tertiary Institution Nationwide

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The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate closure of tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools nationwide over the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country and as part of measures to contain the spread.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Sonny Echono, confirmed this in Abuja.

A release by the ministry added that the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, asked all principals of the 104 Unity Colleges “to fast-track the ongoing second term examinations and close shop until further notice.”

The ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ben Goong, in the release, said, “The Federal Government has ordered the closure of all the 104 Unity Schools in the country on March 26, 2020, as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.”

“In the meantime, the minister said the management of all the unity colleges should immediately activate the necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol-based sanitisers, and handwashing facilities among others.

“The minister directed the principals to immediately report any suspicious case to the nearest health authorities.”

Culled from Punch