Following the recent declaration of Engr. Seyi Makinde as the Oyo state governor -elect, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela has observed the need for the incoming government to sustain the School Governing Boards (SGBs) policy for the sustainable development of education in the state.
The Commissioner who made this observation on Wednesday at the commissioning of an ultra – modern science laboratory; a project donated by Prof. Kolawole Adebayo to Oke’badan High School noted that the importance of the provision of adequate facilities in schools cannot be over -emphasized, stressing that the donation of this ultra modern science laboratory will go a long way in adding values, in enhancing the quality of teaching, learning as well as serving as an opening to improving the school in all ramifications.
According to Prof. Olowofela, qualitative education through the provision of the required and adequate teaching and learning facilities has been a great concern to the Abiola Ajimobi led administration, thus, the government lent out her hands of partnership through the School Governing Boards policy (SGBs) by inviting stakeholders comprising of the Parents Forum, the Old Students, Philanthropists among others to contribute their quotas to the development of education sector in the state.
He emphasised further that the state government has been advocating that the responsibility of education lies on all and sundry and “all of us must give back to the system that has produced us”.
“The SGBs policy is a magic wand in the sense that there is really no week in which we have not been invited to come and commission one project or the other for the government.
“Also, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, (DAWN) Commission has adopted School Governing Boards (SGBs) educational policy by Oyo state government towards enhancing educational development in the South West region.
“In fact, if we sustain this policy, I know that in the next 5 years, the public schools in the state would have changed remarkably. Why we are emphasising this is that our own government is on its way out, but this is a policy that must be sustained so that Oyo state can enjoy rapid infrastructural development and contents delivery in our schools”, Olowofela declared.
While appreciating donors’ previous contributions toward the development of education in the state, the Commissioner specifically lauded Prof. Adebayo for the rare disposition displayed by him in donating “this ultra -modern science laboratory for the use of the current students of the school and for the use of generation of students who are yet unborn “.
He, however implored the teachers to put the facility to optimal use for the benefits of the young ones and ensure that it is well kept and properly maintained.
Also speaking at the event, the donor, Professor Kolawole Adebayo while giving reason for his decision narrated: ” Today, we are giving facilities that you (students) are going to use with the expectation that in future you would also come back and give back to the school.
“My motivation is simple. The only reason I changed to Oke’ Badan High School was that I wanted to study science and at that time the laboratory was not ready in my former school. So, I discussed with my parent that I can’t be a science student if my school does not have a laboratory. My school was in Ijebu and wanted to come to Ibadan because I wanted to study science and I was brought here as a pupil in 1981.
” I was sad therefore, when 3 years ago we had our meeting at Justice Shoremi’s house in Abeokuta and I was told that the laboratory is not functioning. I was sad because that was the reason I came to Ibadan. Then, I have to contribute my widow’s mite.
Appreciating the old students association of the school, Prof. Adebayo also tasked others to contribute their own quota to the development of their alma maters.
Having realized that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone, Governor Abiola Ajimobi had earlier inaugurated the School Governing Boards, (SGBs) in all the 628 Public Secondary Schools in Oyo state.
Interestingly, the Board, aims at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector has enjoyed the commitment and cooperation of Principals, teachers, old students, parents, philanthropists among others.
(C) Apesin Ayodele Idowu, IBADAN
