The Oyo State Government has warned trespassers against the encroachment of landed property belonging to public schools across the state.
The Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Prof. Abdulwaheed Adelabu, gave the warning during a routine check at St. Agnes Basic School, Iluju, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
In a statement by the Media Team of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), the commissioner decried the alarming rate at which the premises and property of the school had been encroached upon by a neighbouring church and landgrabbers.
Adelabu said: “Government’s policies on encroachment on land still remains the same. Encroachment of any nature will not be entertained by the Oyo State Government.”
He emphasised that the environment of learning was supposed to be totally void of any form of distraction and stressed the need to go back to the basics and enforce discipline in order to bring about quality education in the state.
The commissioner directed the Education Secretary, Oriire Local Government Area, to ensure a proper investigation into the matter and report back to the Ministry, through the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.
In a related development, Prof. Adelabu has urged head teachers of the 21 Better Education Service Delivery For All (BESDA) public primary schools in the state to put innovative measures in the day-to-day administration of their schools.
The statement reveals that the commissioner made the call during a series of meetings with some BESDA focused school head teachers in the state, where he stressed the importance of basic education to any country, saying most development partners focus more on supporting primary education in the country.
Adelabu, who thanked all teachers for their support to the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration, noted that the state government would not relent in its efforts to make the basic education sub-sector more attractive for better education.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Jacob Dairo, warned against the illegal collection of fees, which he said is totally prohibited in the state.
The team, led by the Commissioner; the Permanent Secretary, Mr Adeniyi Olusanjo and top management members of OYOSUBEB, visited various Local Government Councils in the state, including Iseyin; Saki West; Igboho; Oriire; and Oyo-West, among others.
Dominica Nwabufo
