The Oyo State Government has directed teachers in public schools across the state to intensify efforts towards recovering academic time lost during the recent industrial action triggered by the abduction of teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Segun Olayiwola, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the ministry’s conference hall, which brought together key players in the education sector to chart a coordinated recovery plan.
The meeting included representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Addressing stakeholders, Olayiwola emphasised the need for urgent academic recovery, charging school administrators and teachers to prioritise effective teaching and learning in order to mitigate the impact of the disruption.
“Schools must intensify efforts to recover the academic time lost during the industrial action. We cannot allow our students to be academically disadvantaged by the recent disruption.”
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the education sector under Governor Seyi Makinde, noting that the government would continue to implement policies aimed at improving learning outcomes across the state.
“The Oyo State Government remains committed to providing the best learning environment for our students.“
“Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration will continue to implement policies that enhance the quality of education across the state,“ he said.
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In his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Baale Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, commended teachers’ unions for suspending their industrial action in the interest of students.
“We appreciate the leadership of the teachers’ unions for putting the interest of students first by suspending the industrial action.“
“Continued collaboration between government and education stakeholders is essential to moving the sector forward,“ he added.
Representatives of the NUT, ANCOPSS, and AOPSHON, however, called on the state government to intensify efforts towards securing the safe release of abducted teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
“We appeal to the government to sustain every effort toward the safe release of our abducted colleagues and students while we remain committed to supporting quality education in Oyo State,” they said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Education Intervention, Suraju Tiamiyu, expressed optimism that the victims would soon regain their freedom, stating that government efforts were ongoing.
“We are optimistic that the abducted teachers and students will soon regain their freedom,” he said. “The government is making sustained efforts to ensure their safe release,“ he said.