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By Emmanuel Adeleke
In order to revitalise the dwindling education system in South West and Nigeria, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has organised a two days education summit to highlight the challenges facing functional basic education.
DAWN Commission is the dedicated technocratic institution for the sustainable development of the South West region.
The South West Education Stakeholders summit titled, ‘Collaborating for improved learning outcomes,’ is holding in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
While declaring the summit open, Oyo State Governor, Engr. seyi Makinde, emphasised positive contribution of the stakeholders in the region to revitalise the education sector.
The governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Olukemi Bolaji, urged stakeholders from the South West region to go back to their states to bring education back to a standard level.
“There is a lot of gabs which we can notice in physical education in the development of our young ones, and here we are, we want to chart a new course to see that those challenges are addressed and to see what we can do. A particular aspect I want to emphasise is that of implementation.
“We may identify the various challenges, speak a lot, have a lot of statistics, roll down to us, have a lot of papers presented, but what do we do with these information after living this place?
“So, we must have these responsibilities of going back to our states to see that indeed we bring education back to the stage it ought to be, and this is a collective responsibility,” she said.
Also, the Director, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, said the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that every child in Nigeria has access to quality basic education.
Olatunji-David who was represented by the Assistant Director of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Stella Udegbue, called for collective efforts of all partners and stakeholders of the education sector.
In her goodwill message, the Acting Executive Secretary of Odu’a Investment Foundation, Mrs Abiola Ajayi, said through collaboration and innovative approaches, the challenges of limited infrastructure, quality of professionals in the sector and governance systems that hinder effective basic education delivery can be overcomed.
“Odu’a Investment Foundation is committed to leveraging partnerships with governments, donor agencies, and other stakeholders to drive sustainable solutions in education,” she said.
Earlier in his address, the Director General of DAWN Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, said the present standard of education in the region is far below what was obtainable in the past.
“The current state of basic education in our region demands our collective attention. Recent results from JAMB and WAEC zonal statistics reveal significant challenges in students performance.
“Our presence here demonstrate a commitment to building upon the foundation laid by our predecessors; at some point, we deviated from the master plan but just as they meticulously planned and consulted, we gather here collaboratively to ensure our educational system equips our citizens to play a full and meaningful role in the affairs of society, and we continue to produce 21st century fit for purpose students as envisioned by our founding fathers.
“The South West Education Stakeholders Summit 2024 is a call for action. Over the next two days, we will engage in productive discussions, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions. Our diverse perspectives and experiences will guide us in identifying and sharing successful approaches to basic education management. Ultimately we aim to create a conducive and effective learning environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential.
“This summit goes beyond simply sharing ideas and brainstorming solutions. We are strategically addressing the need to improve the mind-set and value orientation of future leaders and quality education being a fundamental right and the cornerstone of sustainable development, is crucial,” he said.