By Sanusi Abdullahi Oyelekan.

The Oyo State Government in collaboration with Global Partnership for Education (GPE), a World Bank assisted programme has disbursed grants for the renovation of fifty-eight public schools in the State.

This was revealed by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu during a meeting with stakeholders in Ibadan on Monday.

The stakeholders in attendance include Chairmen of School Based Management Commitees, SBMCs, Headteachers among others.

During the meeting, Prof. Adelabu revealed that some of the selected public schools will receive facelift, through rehabilitation.

Prof. Adelabu called on the School Based Management Commitees (SBMC) and Headteachers responsible for the project delivery in various local governments, to be accountable and transparent in utilising the funds.

“As part of the approved workplace for the project some schools were selected for infrastructural development exercise, such as renovation of classrooms, with potable water, furniture, toilet facilities and solar system”, he hinted.

While reacting shortly after the stakeholders meeting, the Special Adviser to Gov Makinde on Education Intervention, Honourable Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy, said the grant was meant to turn around infrastructure of schools in the state.

He said the project will enhance the capacity of Education in the state, therefore the need to involve SBMCs.

Hon Tiamy said that the selection of beneficiary schools was objective and devoid of bias or political interferences.

The Special Adviser stated that the project was a collective delivery by each community, and meeting the criteria and benchmark set by World Bank would determine the next phase of the project.

He said, the GPE was providing support to three focus states of Oyo, Adamawa and Kastina to address issues of access and learning outcomes.

“We are about to witness transformation in schools’ infrastructure that are under served or hard to reach either for construction or renovation with basic amenities.

“This is to make learning conducive for learners, increase enrollment and ultimately reduce the menace of out of school children,” Tiamy said.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran hinted that the cost of the schools selected for rehabilitation under same programme would be determined upon inspection of deplorable nature of the benefiting schools.

Dr. Adeniran underscored the importance of education as a priority area of the present administration.

He said the project was significant with the agenda of the State government in developing a road map in its educational sector.

“The BESDA, Additional Fund Transforming Education Sector At State level is a global Partnership in Education sponsored program for states with special considerations that performed well in the first phase of BESDA”, Adeniran said.

Speaking further, he said, “this underscores the fact that education is a priority for the oyo state government, under Engr. Seyi Makinde. The rehabilitation of schools would create a conducive learning environment for our children.”

He said the project will enhance the capacity of Education in the state, therefore the need to involve SBMCs.

The SBMC Chairman, Community Basic School, Idi ose, Igana, Mr. John Olalere Omolewu who spoke on behalf of the benefiting schools, promised quality and transparent execution of the job at the end of the project.

END.