Oyo abduction: Govt orders follow-up as pupils shun schools

Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, encouraged parents in Oriire Local Government Area of the state to remain committed to their children’s education as the government intensified efforts to restore normal academic activities and strengthen education delivery in the communities affected by the recent security incident in the area.

This followed the absence of students at Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, who are yet to resume following the recent abduction in the area.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, stated this during a working visit to rescued learners, teachers and members of the host communities at Ahoro Dada in the council.

Olayiwola, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, engaged students, teachers, parents, traditional rulers, security personnel and other stakeholders on measures to ensure the safe and effective return of learners to school.

The commissioner, who led a team of senior officials from the ministry to the affected communities, expressed concern about the level of preparedness observed and charged members of staff to demonstrate greater commitment, diligence and efficiency in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said, “At Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, the delegation observed that the school was yet to resume for the new academic session.”

Olayiwola also interacted with parents and children in the Yawota community, where concerns were raised “about children who had not returned to school and were instead engaged in skills-acquisition activities during school hours.”

While visiting some of the locations where the children were learning various skills, the commissioner encouraged “parents to remain committed to their children’s education.”

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He, therefore, directed “relevant officials to follow up on the affected learners and facilitate their return to school, to prevent a further increase in the number of out-of-school children in the state.”

The commissioner also directed the Director of Basic Education to liaise with the Nigerian Baptist Conference on possible interventions to support the school and prevent its closure, as the institution is a private school owned by the Conference.

While paying a courtesy visit to the Elesinele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, in his palace, the commissioner sought the continued support of the traditional institution towards restoring normal educational activities in the community.

Responding, the traditional ruler reaffirmed the palace’s support for schools and teachers in the area, saying accommodation had been provided for government teachers in the community.

He, however, raised concern over “the continued use of the Primary Health Centre by military personnel as accommodation,” noting that “the development is affecting the activities of medical personnel.

At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, the commissioner directed the Tutor General to facilitate the posting of additional teachers to the school after complaining of a shortage of teachers, especially Mathematics teachers.

The commissioner also received an appeal from Parent-Teacher Association teachers seeking consideration for absorption into the Teaching Service Commission, based on their continued commitment to the school before, during and after the security incident.

He directed the Tutor General to prepare a submission on the engagement of interested indigenes of the community who are willing to teach, for onward consideration by the Executive Governor of Oyo.