Governor Ademola Adeleke has been urged by concerned parents of students at St. Andrew Primary School in Eko-Ende, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, to address the alarming state of the school’s infrastructure. The primary schools were located behind the Anglican Church. The parents are appealing for urgent building rehabilitation and the provision of essential furniture for both students and teachers. Most four-classroom buildings constructed by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) lack a roof. Only one classroom has a roof, while the ceilings of the other three have collapsed.
The roof damage was initially caused by a rainstorm three years ago during the administration of former governor Gboyega Oyetola. Since then, the condition of the building has worsened, with the walls and ceilings now extensively damaged due to consistent rainfall exposure. The only remaining roofed classroom is being used as an office by the teachers, while some pupils have been relocated to an abandoned building nearby, which also suffers from poor conditions. This alternative space lacks ceilings, doors, and windows, further endangering the safety of the children and compromising the quality of education.
Government’s commitment to education and phased renovation plans.
Under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s leadership, the Osun State government has acknowledged the poor state of public schools like St. Andrew Primary School. The Commissioner for Education, Eluwole Adedipo, confirmed that the government has plans to renovate the learning centres, although the renovation efforts will occur in phases. The authorities have emphasised that the deterioration of public institution Infrastructure is widespread across the state, not limited to the community alone. Despite ongoing challenges, Governor Adeleke’s administration has made notable educational strides.
To address staffing shortages, the government recently recruited 5,000 teachers to fill vacancies in primary and secondary institutions across the state. Additionally, 631 classrooms with offices have been rehabilitated in 125 basic learning centres across the 30 local governments and the area office in the state. The Osun State government has also constructed 323 new classrooms with offices, halls, and laboratories in 96 basic institutions. Also, regarding clean water, the administration has constructed 41 Boreholes with reticulation in 41 basic colleges and 30 motorised deep well water systems with reticulation. These initiatives aim to provide safe and conducive environments for students and staff.
Further measures taken to improve learning environments.
Furthermore, the government has upgraded the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) units in the 31 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) to streamline educational data management. Each EMIS unit has been equipped with new laptops and printers, ensuring efficient data collection and real-time institutional data management. This digital transformation is a critical step in improving the efficiency of educational oversight and policy implementation in the state. In line with efforts to enhance Teacher capacity, the government has also provided specialised training for over 1,200 teachers in various skill acquisition programs.
These programs include information Technology training (ICT), remote learning platforms, and cooperative learning strategies, ensuring teachers in the state are better equipped to deliver quality education to their students. The focus on continuous teacher development reflects the administration’s commitment to raising educational standards and equipping students with relevant advanced and 21st-century skills. Therefore, the outcry over the poor condition of St. Andrew Primary School underscores the pressing need for timely intervention in public school infrastructure across Osun State.
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While the phased renovation approach aims to address these issues systematically, schools facing severe structural decay requires immediate attention to safeguard the Welfare of pupils and staff. Governor Adeleke’s educational initiatives, including teacher recruitment, classroom rehabilitation, and technological upgrades, signal positive progress in the sector. However, the government must ensure that urgent cases like St. Andrew Primary School are prioritised to prevent potential disasters and uphold the safety and quality of education for all children in Osun State.