The Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Olufemi Agagu, has declared that the current administration in the state is committed to providing qualitative and affordable education to the people.
He also said education remained a top priority of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration, hence the attention being given to the sector.
Speaking with journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday, the commissioner noted that education remained the catalyst of development of every nation and a sure means of emancipation from poverty and ignorance.
According to him, the state government had made concerted efforts towards achieving aggressive reforms in the education sector through continuous renovation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructural facilities in schools across the state, as well as the consistent payment of Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination fee for eligible SS3 students.
He noted that the administration had embarked on innovations geared towards stimulating the potentials and skills of the students and reawakening the entrepreneurial potentials in them to reduce unemployment rate among the youths.
He said, “The Universal Basic Education Commission in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Board has progressively improved the state of infrastructure in our public primary schools across the state, while our government would continue to provide incentives for teachers.
“Our administration has been prioritising the welfare of teachers at all levels, which include prompt payment of salary, regular promotions, the appointment of Tutors General, granting car loans, housing loans and teachers’ capacity building. Our primary school teachers can now get to grade level 16 before retirement.”
Agagu also stressed the need for security agencies to synergise in combating the menace of poverty, rising unemployment rate and soaring inflation that had been exacerbated by the state of insecurity in the country.
