By Oluwakayode Banjo

The Oyo State government, on Tuesday, said it may start enforcing the Examination Malpractice Act, as enshrined in the 1999 Federal Constitution.

The Act stipulates a three years’ jail term or fine of N100, 000 or both for anyone caught and found guilty of compromising exam ethics in the country.

Speaking in Ibadan, with journalists, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Pastor Akinade Alamu said the State Government has so far adopted administrative measures in addressing examination malpractices in the State.

He declared that with the present administration’s policy on education, the war against examination malpractice is being won.

Recall that earlier in the year, the Oyo State Government suspended teachers on the premise of examination malpractices during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

Pastor Alamu, who expressed joy over support by the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other teaching bodies, emphasized that the state government would not hesitate to ensure that the laws guiding the conduct of public exams in the country takes its full course.

Alamu, who said examination malpractice had reduced significantly since the Seyi Makinde administration came on board, added that the government aims at the total elimination of exam malpractice in the state.

Speaking on granting the erring teachers pardon, Pastor Alamu said the Oyo State Government has received appeals from Traditional rulers, as well as stakeholders in the Education sector.

He however said the Oyo State Government has not taken final decision on whether to pardon the erring teachers.

“We have received appeals from Traditional rulers and the Nigeria Union of Teachers. But we have very high regard for NUT, a very noble union of professionals. We respect the leadership of NUT and its members; NUT is a union that gave maximum cooperation to Governor Seyi Mkainde’s administration, since its inception”, he said.

Pastor Alamu berated past administrations in the State for taking issues of examination malpractices with levity, adding that the Seyi Makinde administration has taken the bull by the horn.

“When we came on board, we decided that this problem should be nipped in the bud and we started sanctioning the erring teachers and principals. So we have done it for 2-3years now, suspending teachers that were involved and we want you to understand that examination malpractice is criminal”.

“At the end we took administrative steps to address the issues and when we did it, there had been appeals and pleadings from various quarters”, he said.

We respect Nigerian Teachers and they are very good partners of TESCOM and Oyo State Government, we have seen that NUT has been a very responsible Trade Union, with this we may consider their request to pardon the teachers.

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The Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM) on Friday, honoured two students and five Teachers for distinguishing themselves in various competitions.

The Chairman, TESCOM, Pastor Akinade Alamu in his address at second phase of Teachers’ Solidarity rally for Governor Seyi Makinde, held in Ibadan noted that the award was initiated to motivate the students and their teachers, who had performed brilliantly and also encourage others to follow suit.

He added that Oyo State Government is poised to recognize and celebrate excellence, success, diligence, hard work, dedication and selflessness.

The awardees include, Mrs. Egunjobi Elizabeth Mofolashade, a Principal at St. Anne’s School, Molete Ibadan, who received an award for her selfless dedication during the long COVID-19 vacation.

Also awarded were Mrs. Olatunji Olufinmilayo Ayoade, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaiwola Olateju and Miss Adepoju Aminat Adedayo, from St. Anne’s.

According to Alamu, they were recognized for their exceptional methods of coaching their students to earn global awards.

The Chairman noted that their dedication earned two students from St. Anne’s School first and second positions in the recent Commonwealth Essay competition globally.

The students, Mariam Lawal and Deborah Olatunji were also given awards of recognition by the State Government.

The state Government also recognized a Ph.D student who teaches at Bishop Phillips Academy, Ogundiji Olasunkanmi, for winning the National Maltina competition.

The Chairman stated, “These students and their teachers exhibited outstanding zeal in attaining excellence at various competitions. It took them commitment, responsibility, focus, determination, creativity, innovation, purpose-driven attitude and the fighting spirit to win laurels at local and international competitions”.

He noted that the celebration differs from the other solidarity rallies, because the State Government dimmed it fit to return same gesture to teachers who willingly gave themselves to support the Governor Makinde’s re-election bid.

He promised that the State Government will give more awards to different recipients and other stakeholders that have been collaborating with the State to advance the education sector.

His words: “We are proud of Oyo state students who are winning laurels in global and National competitions. We have two of our student from St. Anne’s that won the Commonwealth Essay Test. It is a global competition and I must say this is a great feat for us in Oyo TESCOM. On behalf of Governor Makinde, I am honored to present them these awards. This is a token of our appreciation, to let them know that we appreciate what they are doing and we want them to do more”.

Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs. Bisi Oderinde acknowledged the teachers for their commitment and determination at making the students excel in the global competition, saying that they were the reason the students are being celebrated.

She urged students and teachers in the State not to rest on their oars, adding that more awards await them in future.

“Do not rest on your oars, this is just the beginning, there are more honors awaiting you in the future, globally”, the PS stated.

In her welcome speech, the Head of Zone 3, Alhaja Ololade Azeez commended the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the State, for its unrelenting support towards the workforce.

The event was attended by representatives of all affiliate bodies of Nigeria Union of Teachers, including Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Non-Academic Staff Union, among others.

E- signed:

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, Ph.D.,

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.