Ekiti State Government Pledges Commitment to Eradicate Out-of-School Children

• The government’s programmes and policies are geared towards improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes in schools
  

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The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that no child is left out of the education system, aiming to achieve zero out-of-school children status across the state.

The Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Femi Akinwumi, highlighted the state’s commitment during the inauguration of new local government branch chairmen of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) in Ado Ekiti.

Professor Akinwumi noted that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration has implemented several initiatives, including a free and compulsory education policy, various infrastructure development projects, and support for teachers, to keep children in school.

“The Oyebanji administration is fully committed to ensuring free and compulsory education for all children in Ekiti State, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the issue of out-of-school children. The government’s programmes and policies are geared towards improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes in our schools,” he said.

The SUBEB chairman called on head teachers to bolster efforts to maintain the government’s policy and warned against the collection of illegal fees from pupils, stressing that sanctions would be imposed on violators.

Professor Akinwumi outlined several achievements of the current administration in the basic education sector, which include the provision of modern infrastructure for a conducive learning environment, distribution of instructional materials, regular payment of salaries and allowances, and continuous training for teachers. He also highlighted the approval and disbursement of car and housing loans, and the extension of service for primary school teachers who are university graduates to Grade Level 16.

The outgoing AOPSHON executives were commended for their contributions to the association, while the newly inaugurated leaders were urged to build on their predecessors’ achievements to advance basic education in the state.

In his remarks, the AOPSHON Chairman in Ekiti, Olusola Ajiborode, praised the state government for prioritising the welfare of teachers and improving conditions in the education sector.