Ondo: Govt To Hold Teachers Responsible For Low Enrollment In Public Schools

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo state government has said teachers in its employment that enrol their children in private schools are not adding value to the teaching profession.

According to the state chairman of Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Victor Olabimtan, such teachers are contributing to

the dwindling population of pupils in public schools in the state.

The Head Press & information Services of the board, Bisi Agboola, in a statement in Akure, stated that government was worried over the development, despite its investment in primary education.

Agboola, said the chairman, at a meeting with head teachers across the three senatorial districts of the state, frowned at the dwindling population of pupils in public schools inspite of government efforts.

According to him, the state government has decided that  teachers will henceforth be held responsible for any drop in schools’ enrolment.

The SUBEB chairman condemned  the attitude of some teachers taking their children to private schools and ruled that it has become an offence for any public school teachers to take their wards to private schools.

Olabimtan said Ondo state government will not relent in its efforts at upgrading school standard as well as provide personnel.

He called on the Education Secretary in the 18 Local government areas not to hesitate at reporting any teacher found wanting in their duty post for possible sanction.

The chairman charged the teachers to buckle up and do the needful in the area of enrollment drive and shun any act of indolence.

The statement added that the state government has approved that serving primary school teachers can now reach the level-16 status like their counterparts in the civil service.

By implication, teachers can be considered for the position of permanent secretary, when such vacancy is opened.

Already, promotion letters have been distributed to 2,111 teachers out of which 85 are of grade level-16.

0labimtan thanked Governor Akeredolu for providing UBEC Counterpart funding, which has hitherto been neglected for about five years, paving way for the massive reconstruction of schools, renovations as well as provision of furniture items.

The state Chairman of PTA, Alhaji Abimbola Omo-Oloja, while responding, thanked the governor, for his interest at lifting education from foundation.

Omo-Oloja, who pledged the unflinching support of parents, appealed for the return of extra curricular activities in schools.