The Executive Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has declared that no child should be denied access to basic education in the state, stressing that basic education is free and every learner must have equal opportunity to attend school.
Ifede stated this during the second day of the Board’s school resumption monitoring exercise in the Ogun Central Senatorial District, after monitoring schools in parts of Ogun East Senatorial District the previous day. He specifically warned headteachers and teachers against demanding money from parents as a condition for admitting their children into public primary schools.
The SUBEB Chairman charged headteachers and teachers to remain committed to quality teaching, ensuring that every learner can read, write and communicate effectively and acquire the skills needed to compete favourably with learners in private schools.
He emphasised the importance of phonics in improving early literacy and urged teachers to apply phonics-based strategies and adopt learner-centred approaches. He also encouraged teachers to relate with learners with love and understanding, while calling on schools to intensify enrolment drives within their communities.
Ifede further urged headteachers and teachers to maintain professional appearances as role models to learners. He directed schools to utilise vacant portions of their premises for agriculture and beautification, while appealing to philanthropists supporting educational infrastructure to expedite the completion of their projects for the benefit of learners.
Responding, the Headteacher of St. John Anglican Primary School II, Kuto, Abeokuta, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oyedele, appreciated the state government and SUBEB for creating an enabling environment for teaching and learning and pledged to implement the Board’s directives.
Similarly, the Headteacher of Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School II, Onagbooro, Abeokuta North, Mr. Thanni Babatunde, pledged to strengthen supervision and ensure that every learner acquires basic computer skills, while making the school’s Information Technology Room accessible to learners from neighbouring schools.
The monitoring team also visited Rev. Kuti Memorial Primary School, Isabo; Nawair-Ud-Deen Primary School, Isale-Ijeun; Abeokuta North Local Government Primary School, Ago Owu; and Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School I, Onagbooro, Abeokuta North, to assess their preparedness and reinforce the Board’s commitment to improved teaching and learning.
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