Resumption: Ondo decries low public school enrolment
Resumption: Ondo decries low public school enrolment
The Ondo State Government has expressed displeasure over the poor enrolment of pupils into the public primary schools.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Victor Olabimtan, said he was not impressed with the enrolment, lamenting that there was no reason for any public primary school to be dwindling in number of pupils while that of private schools are on the increase considering the enormous investment in the development of basic education by the Federal and State governments.
He stated this during an assessment tour of some public primary schools across the state on Wednesday,
According to him, the turnout of pupils within the few days of resumption in most schools visited, for the new session was not impressive.
Olabimtan said, “Some of the factors responsible for low patronages in the public schools in the state include but are not limited to non-dedication to duties on the part of teachers.
“In the last six years, the State Government under Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expended over N22 billion in the renovations, and constructions of not less than 900 school buildings, fencing, provisions of boreholes, chairs and lockers, computer laboratories and distributions of free instructional materials to pupils to mention but a few.
“With these improved facilities coupled with the provisions of playgroups, ECCED facilities, and sporting equipment put in place by the government in all the public primary schools across the state, there is no reason parents and guardians should not enrol their wards in public schools that are tuition-free.”
He noted that the government’s investments in public schools could only be seen through a drastic reduction in the number of out-of-school children and an increase in school enrolment in public primary schools which are tuition-free and better equipped in terms of qualified teachers and good facilities.
The SUBEB chairman charged the head teachers, their assistants, and teachers to go out and embark on a constant enrolment drive in their neighbourhoods like their counterparts in private schools are doing.
Credit: Punch Newspaper
