Gov. Makinde Gets Pass Mark In Education - Oyo Nut
The state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Oyo State wing, Comrade Ajibola Fatai, during a press interview gave the Oyo State government a pass mark in the area of education.
Oyo State's number one teacher spoke on the various efforts put in place by the government, adding that the state has continued to set the pace for others to follow in the area of education in the country.
EXCERPTs:
Q: Sir, what has been your impact in office as the number one teacher in the state?
A: The mission statement of the NUT is to protect the interest of teachers at all times, ensuring that they receive their salaries among other benefits as and when due, and this we have continued to sustain as a union. Teachers in the state receive their salaries and promotions at the primary and secondary levels are being facilitated. We have continued to work with appropriate quarters to ensure that the welfare of teachers is adequately taken care of.
In Oyo State we have a listening governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; he is poised towards achieving an accelerated level of education in the state by building and renovating existing structures in public schools. As a union we support our members who are involved in education at the Orire Local Government by looking into their welfare on return from captivity ; we visit the families of teachers who lost their lives and also attend to their welfare.
The union has primary and secondary schools and we have continued to maintain standards to ensure that pupils receive the best education. We organise training and retraining for our teachers so that they will be able to give their best to pupils.
Q: Sir, you are the number one teacher in Oyo State. From your point of view, do you think public schools in Oyo State are well secured?
A: Yes, public schools in Oyo State are well secured. Immediately after the abduction, the National Headquarters of our union ordered the immediate withdrawal of services and since then the union has been engaged with the Ministry of Education and necessary security outfits to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future. Security is not something we discuss in public; a number of measures have been put in place. The union is part of the committee to implement the arrangement and I can confidently tell you that public schools in the pacesetter state are well secured. We have Amotekun and all other agencies charged to protect schools.
Q: What are your expectations regarding improved education in the state?
A: We have to continue to give credit to the state government headed by His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde for their passion for education in the state. Oyo State is a point of reference in Nigeria when it comes to education; it is free at the primary and secondary levels and the state government has continued to provide a conducive environment for pupils' schooling. Having said that, efforts are ongoing to retrain teachers in the state, more importantly in the area of A.I, so that we will be technologically advanced. Oyo State government has a pass mark when it comes to education and salaries are paid as and when due. We would like the state government to sustain the tempo through improved welfare of teachers.
Q: What is your message to students and teachers in the state?
A: Students should stay away from drug abuse because it is a menace that will deter them on the path to success, and our parents need to do more in the area of moral upbringing because our teachers cannot do it all. Parents should be proactive and take disciplinary measures. The NUT will continue to protect the interest of teachers, but whom much is given much is expected; they should endeavour to put in their best and be of good moral conduct because our students now see them as role models. With this our society will be better off with hard work and success.
