Oyo State government has said it has called for data and statistical input as well as collaboration with United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for necessary technical support towards facilitating the 2018/2019 Annual School Census (ASC) process.
The State Governor, Eng. Seyi Makinde made this statement through the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, while delivering his speech at the presentation and dissemination of 2018/2019 (ASC) which held on Wednesday at the Emmanuel Alayande Resource Centre in Ibadan.
Olaleye explained that the stakeholders meeting was another landmark in the efforts of the present administration at generating accurate, timely, and reliable data for maximum outcome in education service delivery in the State.
Barr. Olasunkanmi, explained that education has great potential for transforming individual and society because of its influence on values, attitude, and its assistance in training and preparing people for different careers in life, adding that it was why education was normally taken with all seriousness even in the indigenous Nigerian society.
He added that this has informed the commitment and readiness of the present government to ensure that the required quality is achieved in the State’s education sector.
”The state government is committed to providing quality education for its citizenry, this is visible from various initiatives that bring about a positive reform in the State education sector which consequently have created so much demand for accurate and reliable data.
“The need for planning educational system is derived from the fact the society is not static and education must respond as well as adapt to changing technological, economical, political and social environment of the nation.
“In line with global demand, statistical information for education sector is indispensable, data is key to any practical and meaningful education planning hence, the need for timely, accurate, and up-to date education data.
“Therefore, ASC is a yearly event conducted by the Ministry for the purpose of obtaining data for policies, planning, monitoring, and evaluating the system towards effective management of education in the State.
“However, the exercise is not a Ministry of Education, Science and Technology affair alone but a collective responsibility of all stakeholders hence, the necessity for this feedback meeting.
“Oyo State believes in an education system that provides equal opportunity to every Nigerian irrespective of gender, social status, age, religion, ethnic background, geographical location, and any peculiar challenge.
The United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) has consistently been supportive of Oyo state government’s educational system in terms of collaboration and partnership aimed at improving human capacity, tailored towards delivery of qualitative formal education.
Barr. Olaleye however expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders including UNICEF, and particularly Ministry’s agencies and boards such as SUBEB, BOTAVED, TESCOM, AANFE, ETF, LIBRARY Board, Private Service Providers, NAPPS, AMIS, APAPSS, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, State Bureau of Statistics, National Population Commission Oyo State chapter for their unflinching support the ministry has continually enjoyed from them.
Earlier, while presenting this year’s report, the Honourable Commissioner gave a brief overview of the 2018/2019 Annual School Census which showed that there were 2,449 Public Primary Schools with an increase of 35 Schools compared to 2017/2018 academic session which represented increase of 1.45%.
There was also an increase of 566 in intake for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, meaning that there is an increase from 3,945 in previous academic year by 2.9% and 5 Public Technical Colleges in the State.