R-L: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Onisan of Isan, Oba Sunday Ajiboye; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Eniola Ajayi and the Regent of Ayede Ekiti, Princess Antonia Ademode George, during an inspection of the newly commissioned students hostel at Government Science College, Ayede-Ekiti on Thursday
In line with the commitment of his administration to revamp the education sector in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has stated that the state government would commence the renovation and furnishing of school buildings by the end of this month.
The renovation and re-tooling of public schools across the State is part of the recommendations of the state-wide Education Summit which was held in May last year. It is to be implemented under the administration’s Operation Renovate All Schools in Ekiti (ORASE) aimed at ensuring conducive learning environment.
The Governor who disclosed this while commissioning a new block of hostels for students of Government Science College, Ayede-Ekiti said the project would entail completion of all abandoned school projects, renovation of dilapidated structures and supply of furniture in all secondary schools, while Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will also undertake a similar exercise in all primary schools across the State.
Fayemi explained: “The learning environment was clearly identified at the last Education Summit as a critical success factor in determining the success of our children in schools. This government is irrevocably committed to improving the quality of the learning environment in Ekiti schools. Let me seize this opportunity to inform all and sundry particularly staff and students that Operation Renovate All Schools in Ekiti will commence comprehensively by the end of July, immediately all staff and students proceed on vacation.”
While restating the vision of the state government to repositioning the State as the Fountain of Knowledge, the Governor emphasized that his pact with Ekiti people is total transformation of the education sector; saying that he is not ready to compromise this pact to play opportunistic politics with the future of the school children.
He added that Education remains the key to unlocking the great potentials in this State and concerted efforts must be geared towards making sure that Ekiti becomes the prime destination of choice for those in search of excellent education in Nigeria and beyond.
The Governor however called for collaborative efforts between the citizenry and Government aimed at addressing the challenges facing the education sector because government alone cannot revamp the sector; adding that efforts are in top gear to put in place a policy that will enable public spirited individuals to adopt schools and assist with the development of schools.
Speaking on the newly commissioned hostel, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Eniola Ajayi, recalled that the former Boys’ hostel was gutted by fire in March this year and destroyed property of students and their House Masters. This, according to her, led to the premature closure of the school while classrooms were converted to hostels for students in SSS3 who were then writing their West African School Certificate Examination.
Dr. Ajayi added that the prompt response of the State Governor to the incident was a demonstration of his passion for the education sector.
“I am glad to say that the purposeful and dynamic government under the able leadership of Dr. Kayode Fayemi who stoutly rose to the occasion and provided the wherewithal to construct a new building for the school within a period of six weeks. He did not only construct the building but also bought textbooks, exercise books, 250 mattresses and pillows, 250 double bunk bed, school uniforms, house wears and other essential materials worth several millions of Naira for the students. He also provided compensation in cash for the affected teachers”, she said.
Last modified: July 6, 2012