In Oyo state, it’s difficult to monitor the progress of your children in schools since teachers don’t give students C/A/tests/exams answer scripts. It’s even worse with report cards as students have not been given report cards since two years ago. But one important thing I have confirmed in some A-grade schools in the state is that teachers are dutiful in imparting knowledge to their students. I know one such school where students preparing for SSCE are being given extra lesson early in the morning before school resumes for the day. This, at no cost to parents! Truth be told, principals, vice principals and teachers are trying their best but they’re hampered by lack of or inadequate resources to work with. The state government may be trying its best but its best has not translated to improved fundings in schools, especially with the claims of the state government on over 40% percent increase in IGR. That secondary schools in the state suffer from poverty of resources testify to doubts some people have about the touted increase IGR.
Oyo state government is said to be prompt in the payment of salaries to teachers. That’s commendable, as if it isn’t statutory to pay salaries promptly when there’s no hindrance in the way of FG monthly allocation and IGR. Prompt payment of salaries to teachers will come to nought if teachers are not provided resources to work with in schools. If the government feels that there are many commitments competing for financial attention, and that education should take a huge slice of the neglect, then, it’s just logical for Oyo state government to swallow its words and return payment of tokens by parents as contributions to the progress of their wards whom the parents are looking up to reap from in the future. As a Yoruba adage opines, if one is desirous of not being ashamed but falls into shame, he should start being desirous of not to die.
A government which wants to be seen to be fidelity may eventually fall into disgrace when circumstantial reality is attesting that such government is being handicapped to stick to its promises. After all, aren’t there circumstances that make fulfillment of promises impossible? Education is too important to toy with in the name of not wanting to be seen as infidelity. Oyo state needs cooperation and support from all stakeholders in education, parents especially, so that our children can have access to sound education and achieve versatile knowledge.
Eminent individuals and corporate organizations should also approach the state government to render assistance to move education forward in the state. You may hate or like the state governor, for all anybody cares, but your hatred or likeness for the governor will do nothing to help education to blossom in the state unless all hands are on deck to work towards uplifting education here.
