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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has adopted Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, as a learning city.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Bisi Akin Alabi, disclosed this at the weekend, saying that the state will be honoured with the UNESCO institute of lifelong learning progress award.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting between the Oyo State Model Education System Interventions (OYOMESI) project committee and chairmen of the Schools Governong Board across the state, Dr. Alabi explained that the recent educational policies embarked upon by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, gave the state the UNESCO recognition.
She said that policies like School Governing Board (SGB), abolition of automatic promotion, 80% attendance by pupils and the OYOMESI, were yielding fruitful results for educational development in the state.
She also disclosed that OYOMESI which encourages positive character building has been fused into SGB programmes.
She said that the first strand of OYOMESI focuses on Character Building Education, second strand is on Localized Education Content, while the third strand has to do with Improving Teachers’ Competencies and Motivation.
The Special Adviser pointed out that all government policies in education including enforcement of 80% attendance, abolition of automatic promotion, Extramural classes, Qualifying Examination, No Free WAEC registration, Zonal Education Monitoring Committees, inauguration of School Governing Board and OYOMESI are to restore the lost glory of the state educational system.
Dr Akin-Alabi, while seeking the support of the SGB chairmen, commended them for their efforts in ensuring that goals and objectives of government to set up the Schools Governing Board are realized.
Speaking on behalf of the SGB Chairmen, Engr. Oyedele Moses Oyeniran, who is the Chairman, SGB, Community Secondary School (Junior), Bioku Alaadun, Ona-Ara Local Government, commended Governor Ajimobi for his efforts in rebuilding the solid foundation for the development of education in the state.
He stated that the SGB concept which gives room for stakeholders’ direct participation in schools management has helped a lot, promising that SGB Chairmen will work towards the success of the OYOMESI agenda.