A member of the House of Representatives representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, has employed 20 support teachers as an education intervention plan to address the challenges faced by rural communities in his constituency.
Isiaka, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, said the development was aimed at improving access to quality education.
According to a statement signed by his media aide, Femi Peters, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, the development also aimed at enhancing the teaching of core subjects like English and Mathematics across public schools in the area.
“In addition to the deployment of support teachers, the plan also includes enhancing infrastructure, funding and supporting students, boosting technical/vocational training, and implementing youth mentorship programs,” the statement read in part.
The 20 newly recruited teachers were presented with their employment letters during a ceremony held at Isiaka’s Constituency office in Ayetoro on Wednesday.
“They were assigned to 18 public secondary schools across the constituency, with their employment taking effect in June.
“Some of the schools benefiting from this initiative include Community High School Ohunbe, Community High School Ebute, Iwoye-Ketu Community High School, Alaketu High School, Imeko, Nazareth High School, Imeko, Comprehensive High School Ayetoro, Eyinni Comprehensive High School in Iboro, among others,” the statement added.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairman of the Education Intervention Scheme, Olugbenga Afolabi, described the initiative as a complementary effort to the state government’s strides in the education sector.
Afolabi reiterated Isiaka’s commitment to supporting the delivery of quality education in the constituency and empowering the students with knowledge and skills to thrive, secure a brighter future and contribute to society.
He stated, “For many years, our teachers have been overworked and under-supported while trying their best to equip our children with the tools to succeed. But no teacher can do it alone – they need our support.
“That is why our Principal, GNI started this Education intervention program, to support improvements in education quality at our schools. Let me state emphatically that this is the first phase of this recruitment exercise. Soon, more will follow.
“Our top priority is to help create a better future for our children and shift away from the past narratives of lacklustre achievement and stereotypes that have long affected us as a border region. We will keep investing in our children’s education as a means of developing their fullest potential.”
He congratulated the new teachers while urging them to put in their best in improving access to quality education across the state.
“To those receiving letters today, I say a very big congratulations. But then, I want to encourage your best efforts daily to help our children learn and flourish. We need all hands on deck to improve access to quality education locally.
“And I assure you that GNI will spare no effort in the mission to change the trajectory of education in this federal constituency,” he stated.
In February, Isiaka unveiled a five-strategic education intervention plan to address the challenges faced by rural communities in his constituency.
The plan included deploying additional teachers to schools, enhancing infrastructure, funding and supporting students, boosting technical/vocational training, and organising youth mentoring programs.
He added that his first step on the plan was to deploy at least 40 additional English and Mathematics teachers across the constituency’s secondary schools, beginning in April 2024.