Dr Nureni Adeniran, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (Oyo SUBEB), on Tuesday said that 95 per cent of the contracts awarded in year 2020 have been completed.
Adeniran stated this at an interactive session with journalists in Ibadan where he recounted the activities of the board in spite of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “2018 intervention projects awarded in 2020 included five model schools which had now been completed, 15 blocks of four classrooms out of which 13 had been completed.
“Others are 32 blocks of three classrooms out of which 25 have been completed, six blocks of Early Childhood Development Centre out of which five had been completed, 40 boreholes.
“And provision of 5,169 two seater desks and benches out of which more than half have been completed as well as distribution of sporting equipment to 26 primary schools across the state and also the procurement and distribution of ICT materials for the purpose of ICT education.
“We inherited 54 model schools from the past administration which were at different stages; advance, medium and foundation level of completion out of which 41 had been completed.
“10 of those projects were completed during our first year in office while 31 of those model schools were completed in the year 2020.
“These infrastructure are already being put to use by our pupils in various schools.”
Adeniran said 16 motorcycles and Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks were procured to enhance monitoring exercise and quality assurance of primary schools throughout the state.
He further said that training was conducted for teachers in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission on management of COVID-19 when schools reopened.
According to him, no school pupil has been recorded to have contracted the coronavirus in the state.
This, he credited to the preparedness of the State government and the doggedness of the teachers who despite the challenges posed by the virus have complied with safety protocols.
“We introduce Agriculture Educationary Training Programme (AETP) in 54 primary schools across the geo-political zones in the state.
“We also introduced Learning-on-Air in collaboration with UBEC on the state owned radio station and another one on a private radio station in collaboration with UNICEF during the lockdown when the schools were shut.
“Deworming programme was done at 2,454 primary schools in the state with the help of the Ministry of Health to ensure the sound health of our pupils.
“Also, the National Space Research and Development Agency through UBEC organised training for our quality assurance officers in various local governments on usage of modern technology in handling monitoring exercises rather than using manual methods.
“They were given tablets and taught on how to use digital tools for monitoring.
Adeniran said that Oyo SUBEB also engaged in policy enactment which led to the Ministry of Education introducing Reading and Writing in the pupils curriculum as well as the re-introduction of ‘Open Day’.
He said 100 applicants were employed through the Federal Teachers’ Scheme and the plight of teachers on secondment was being attended to by the stakeholders concerned.
On Better Education Service Delivery to All (BESDA) programme, Adeniran said learning materials had been procured and learning centres in each local government had been identified that would be used for the training of Almajiri, Out-of-school children and hawkers among others.
“Early next year, we will commence training for mentors and coaches as well as those who will handle the teaching of our students.
“Also, we have increased the numbers of enrollment in our primary schools among other achievements recorded in 2020,” he said.