Governor Seyi Makinde has said Oyo state government has disbursed N3.5 billion educational support grant to 105 primary schools in rural areas across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The governor, who said this at the presentation of dummy cheques to representatives of the beneficiary-schools in Ibadan, said the disbursement was part of his administration’s commitment to improving the standard of education in Oyo state.
Speaking through the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal, Makinde pointed out that in spite of challenges, Oyo state government has continued to rate education high and first in every of its policies.
The governor said, “The grant is meant for renovation of primary schools with critical attention, and that the renovation exercise will commence simultaneously in all the 105 schools.
“This is in furtherance of the record of Oyo state government at ensuring that education comes on the front burner in the activities of the state government.
“A couple of months back, it was in this conference room that presentations were made by representatives of the World Bank and other critical stakeholders as to how to assist in improving the standard of education in the state.
“I recall that the major requirement was for the state government to put in its counterpart funding, which has been done. This is to let all of us know that despite various challenges the state government is facing, the current administration still puts education on the front burner. Education is taking almost 21 per cent of the state’s annual budget.
“Education comes first always. Without education, you and I cannot be here. So, I have to congratulate the stakeholders – TESCOM, the Ministry of Education, and the driver of the project, who is the S.A Education Intervention.
“A huge amount of money is being put into this project and I am saying this to the beneficiaries that you must put your eyes into what is being done in your various schools.
The standard must be in accordance with prescriptions, so that our children will take maximum advantage of the facilities the government is putting in place.
“We are starting simultaneously and if we have a commencement period, there must be a conclusion period. So, we will walk the rope, start and put a timeline for completion,” he maintained.
Congratulating the schools benefiting from the educational support grant, the governor tasked them to avoid doing shoddy jobs and ensure that all the projects are in accordance with the prescriptions, so that the pupils can benefit and appreciate government’s efforts in the education sector.
