By Rotimi Idris
The Ekiti State Government has pledged to reintegrate out-of-school children in order to enhance retention, transition, and completion rates of secondary education among adolescents in the state.
Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, reiterated Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration’s commitment to ensuring that all children have access to education.
Aderiye highlighted the government’s collaboration with development partners, including donor countries, the World Bank, regional development banks, United Nations agencies, as well as individuals and corporate organizations, to provide educational opportunities regardless of background or circumstances.
The Commissioner assured that the state government would continue its efforts, working with partners to further improve the education sector in Ekiti State.
She also mentioned that a work plan has been developed for implementation at a two-day regional stakeholders’ meeting organized by UNICEF in Ibadan, Oyo State, aimed at advancing the state’s educational achievements.
Aderiye emphasized the government’s commitment to stakeholder advocacy and support networks to address early warning systems for adolescents at risk of dropping out of school and to tackle the factors contributing to this issue.
She outlined various government interventions in the education sector to include: a free and compulsory education policy up to the Senior Secondary School level, payment of running grants to all primary and secondary schools and technical colleges, payment of WAEC fees and administrative charges for public school students, and the purchase of JAMB forms for eligible students.
Her words, “Apart from recruiting both Primary and Secondary Schools teachers, the State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and TY Danjuma trained teachers in the State on digital skills and remote learning. Old buildings in schools were renovated, toilet facilities provided while computers and interactive boards were supplied to schools to facilitate e-teaching/learning.
“List of the vulnerable and children at risk was generated and provided with the basic needs including school uniforms, school bags, books and Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) were made to parents of the indigent students.
“The State Government has also commenced an educational scheme known as the 2nd Chance Education Scheme aimed at providing opportunities for girls who dropped out of school as a result of varied factors ranging from socio-economic factors to adolescent pregnancy etcetera. The programme is scheduled to begin in 20 centres across the state in September 2024”