The Oyo State Government has urged parents in Oriire Local Government Area to remain committed to their children’s education as it intensifies efforts to restore normal academic activities in communities affected by the recent security incident.
The call followed the continued absence of pupils of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, who have yet to return to school following the recent abduction in the area. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, made the appeal during a working visit to rescued learners, teachers and members of the affected communities at Ahoro Dada.
Olayiwola, who led senior ministry officials on the visit, engaged parents, pupils, teachers, traditional rulers and security personnel on measures to ensure the safe and effective return of learners to school. He expressed concern over the school’s failure to resume for the new academic session and directed relevant officials to follow up with affected pupils and facilitate their return.
The commissioner also visited some children in Yawota who were engaged in skills acquisition during school hours and warned that prolonged absence from school could worsen the state’s out-of-school children challenge. He further directed the Director of Basic Education to liaise with the Nigerian Baptist Conference on interventions to support the private school and prevent its closure.
During a courtesy visit to the Elesinele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, the commissioner sought the traditional institution’s support in restoring normal educational activities. The monarch reaffirmed the palace’s support for schools and teachers but raised concerns about military personnel using the community’s Primary Health Centre as accommodation, saying it was affecting healthcare operations.
At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, Olayiwola directed the Tutor General to facilitate the deployment of additional teachers, particularly Mathematics teachers, following complaints over staffing shortages. He also directed the preparation of a submission on community members willing to teach for consideration by the state government.
