Funding crisis stalls Osun special-needs students’ resumption

The special needs children

Students of the Osun State Secondary School for Students with Special Needs, Osogbo, have yet to resume school because the state government says it lacks funds to provide for their boarding and feeding.

The development has kept the students at home despite the commencement of academic activities across the state, with the government insisting that it will not recall them until adequate arrangements are made for their welfare.

The Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, disclosed this on Wednesday during an assessment visit to the school in Osogbo, the state capital.

Eluwole dismissed reports alleging deliberate neglect of the students, attributing the delay to the state’s financial constraints, which he linked to the non-release of local government allocations by the Federal Government.

“The non-resumption of the students is due to the unavailability of funds to cater for their boarding and feeding programme,” Eluwole said.

He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to release the funds due to Osun State, noting that part of the money was earmarked for feeding students with special needs.

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Eluwole said the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke remained committed to providing quality education despite the financial difficulties confronting the state.

He explained that recalling the students without adequate provision for food and other essential needs would be inappropriate.

The Chairman of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, Aremo Adekunle Alao, and its Executive Secretary, Yahaya Bakare, backed the decision, stating that the students should not return until their welfare could be guaranteed.

They also commended the school’s teachers for continuing to report for duty despite the students’ absence, urging them to remain committed to their responsibilities.

The principal of the school, Kamil Hussain, alongside two teachers, Temitayo Obadare and Temitope Olaniyi, commended the state government for its support for the institution.