Ekiti State Government has reiterated its commitment to free and compulsory education up to Senior Secondary School (SS3) and has made adequate provisions for facilities, such as furniture as well as modern teaching and learning materials for smooth running of the education sector.
The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun who gave the assurance during a 2-day tour of some developmental projects executed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration, said that the target is to improve educational access and outcomes in the State and foster a brighter future for coming generations.
Olatunbosun stressed that the numerous interventions of the State Government are aimed at enhancing school enrolment, assisting economically disadvantaged students, promoting academic achievements and reducing the number of out-of-school children to the barest minimum in the State, adding that the agenda is to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education at no cost.
The Commissioner added that all the 203 public secondary schools in the State were copiously touched with construction of new structures, renovation of old ones and provision of learning tools as well as running grants to ensure smooth running of the schools and provide a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the State.
According to him, the Oyebanji administration also regularly provide financial support for indigent and other disadvantaged students through Conditional Cash Transfer amongst other interventions to their parents to eliminate causes of increase in out-of-school children and attend to the requirements of students with special needs.
He said “in addition to the structural upgrades, government is prioritizing science and technology by procuring cutting-edge laboratory equipment and ICT tools for education to prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. With the development, school children in the State now have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and modern computer systems that will aid them in science, technology and innovation”.
Schools visited during the tour included the Model Smart School at the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) in Ijan Ekiti, the Special School in Ido-Ekiti newly constructed therapy room and renovated dining hall designed to foster a supportive environment for students with unique needs.
Other projects inspected by the team included the 100-capacity hostel at Command Secondary School, Isan Ekiti, the ultramodern ICT Centre and modernized Catering Department at Government Technical College, Igbara Odo as well as the new ICT Centre at Corpus Christi College, Ilawe-Ekiti and several other newly renovated buildings aimed at equipping students with essential skills for the digital age amongst others.