The commencement of duties by the new teaching and non-teaching staff in Oyo State primary and secondary schools this week marks a significant development. The recruitment of staff in various sectors of the state’s economy, coupled with the absorption of approximately 15,000 individuals into the teaching service, is a notable achievement in the pace-setter state in recent time.
Under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership, the state government undertook the recruitments as a key component of his strategic plan for accelerated education development. The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Boards (OYSUBEB) and the Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) oversaw the recruitment of teachers for primary and secondary schools. Dr. Nureni Adeniran, Chairman of Oyo SUBEB, and Pastor Akinde Alamu of TESCOM, have highlighted Governor Seyi Makinde’s resolve to revamp the education system, with the recruitment of qualified teachers being a pivotal element.
Employment in the education and other sectors has alleviated unemployment and underemployment in our society with such employment of teachers and non-teaching staff in the secondary sub-sector as well as teachers and caregivers in the primary sub-sector.
As they assume their roles, it is essential to address pertinent issues, challenges, and matters arising, including the effects of the employment, infrastructure enhancement in public schools, and incentive provision, among others. Many of the new recruits have previously taught in private schools, contributing to the development of staff and the system, and possess higher degrees.
Consequently, this is a clarion call to newly appointed teachers to continue striving for excellence. For the teachers, this is not the ideal time to be complacent. Knowledge acquisition is essential and should be one of their foci.
As good as the recruitment is, it is obvious that private schools in Oyo State may suffer dearth of qualified teachers, for now. This present development sends a signal to owners of private schools in the state to look into welfare of their staff and provide good salaries, allowances, training and re-training opportunities and good work environment.
Another pertinent issue is the need for the state government to revamp the system and make it appealing to students, children, parents and guardians. One of the ways to ameliorate the system is to increase the funding of the primary and secondary schools as the bedrock of education in any clime.
Coupled with this is infrastructure development. It is an aberration to see that some schools are still a complete eyesore, constituting a clog in the wheel of progress of education. Our schools deserve good structures, good libraries, modern laboratories, among others.
Governments must enforce discipline. It is, however, worrisome that discipline on the part of the students is gradually disappearing. It is an understatement to stress that some schools are full of students who are miscreants, with zero tolerance for seriousness. Sexual immortality, drug abuse, among other social vices are the order of the day. These, the government must work tirelessly to combat.
In terms of grants to schools and other incentives to staff, the government is charged to turn the system around. The new and old teachers deserve good living as this will encourage them to work hard to better the system.
Bearing all of these issues discussed as features of our education sector in mind, what is the place of Plato, the great philosopher’s recommendation that the best way to handle a school is through government ownership?
The state government under Governor Makinde is encouraged to leave a legacy of good elementary, middle and high school systems in Oyo State. Mr. Governor should leave a legacy of a system where the teachers will always be encouraged to work, even, with their last drop of blood.
…Adepoju writes from Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
