Oriire: Oyo Steps Up Activities To Restore Schools As Students Stay Off

The Oyo State Government has stepped up efforts to restore normal academic activities in communities affected by the recent abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, stated this during a working visit to rescued learners, teachers and host communities in Ahoro Dada, Oriire.

Olayiwola, who led senior ministry officials on the visit, engaged students, teachers, parents, traditional rulers and security personnel on measures to ensure the safe return of learners to school.

At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, teachers cited shortage of personnel, particularly Mathematics teachers, as a major challenge.

The commissioner directed the Tutor General to facilitate the posting of additional teachers, while also ordering learning support for newly admitted JSS1 students and an assessment of available textbooks.

At Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, the team found that the school had yet to resume for the new academic session. Olayiwola directed the Director of Basic Education to engage the Nigerian Baptist Conference on interventions to prevent its closure.

He also raised concerns over children who had remained out of school and were engaged in skills acquisition during school hours, directing officials to follow up and facilitate their return.

At Esiele, the Elesinele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, pledged the Palace’s support for schools and teachers, while appealing for the resolution of concerns over military personnel using the community’s Primary Health Centre as accommodation.

Military personnel also cited mobility challenges affecting patrol operations and requested patrol vans or motorcycles to strengthen security coverage.

The visit later extended to Isale Oyo Community Grammar School, where stakeholders raised concerns over alleged activities of land grabbers on portions of the school’s land.

The government said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that security challenges “do not permanently disrupt access to education” and restoring confidence in affected communities.