The Kwara State Government has concluded arrangements to renovate 898 public junior and senior schools across the state to create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Project Coordinator of the Kwara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Adeshina Salami, disclosed this during the monitoring of a five-day training for more than 5,000 School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) at the College of Education, Ilorin.
Salami explained that the SBMC members would oversee the renovations, under the “1.2 Renovation” sub-component of the project, which also focuses on developing School Improvement Plans (SIP).
He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for facilitating the project, describing it as a move to foster safe and conducive learning spaces for boys and girls, particularly adolescent girls.
“The Project Implementation Manual clearly states that SBMCs of each school will handle the renovations. Right now, they are being trained on their duties, the development of School Improvement Plan, needs assessment and project management, in order to build their capacity and enhance efficient service delivery,” he said.
Salami added that the project also aims to increase enrolment and retention of adolescent girls so they can complete at least their secondary education.
He noted that SBMCs — made up of school principals, teachers, artisans, and community representatives — serve as a vital link between schools and the communities they serve.
The training is holding concurrently across the three senatorial districts of the state, with six SBMC members from each of the 898 schools participating.
AGILE’s 1.2 Renovation Lead, Aminat Shehu, said the sub-component covers the provision of Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) facilities alongside classroom renovations.
“We want the SBMCs to take ownership of the project, which is why they are involved in the School Improvement Plan. This training will equip them with the knowledge and skills to monitor school renovations effectively, ensuring quality, transparency and community ownership,” she said.
Consultant for the renovation sub-component, Muhyideen Alimi Yusuf, said the training provides an avenue for SBMC members to raise concerns and better understand their duties for successful implementation.
One of the participants thanked the governor for the initiative and pledged to fulfil their responsibilities to ensure each school benefits from the community-based AGILE project.
PIAK