The Oyo State Government has directed teachers in public primary and secondary schools to take immediate steps to recover academic time lost during the recent industrial action sparked 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 conference hall of the Ministry of Education.
The meeting brought together major education stakeholders, including 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 participants, Olayiwola stressed the importance of implementing an effective academic recovery plan to minimise the impact of the disruption on students.
He urged teachers, principals and school administrators to prioritise quality teaching and learning to ensure pupils and students do not suffer long-term academic setbacks.
“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.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to strengthening the education sector through policies designed to improve learning standards 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.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Baale Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, commended the teachers’ unions for suspending the strike in the interest of students and the education sector.
He emphasised that sustained cooperation between the government and education stakeholders remains essential for the continued growth of the state’s education system.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, representatives of the NUT, ANCOPSS and AOPSHON appealed to the state government to sustain efforts towards securing the release of the abducted teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that normal academic activities would continue while urging the authorities not to relent until all the victims regain their freedom.
“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 confidence that the abducted victims would soon be rescued.
He assured stakeholders that the government was actively pursuing every available measure to secure their safe return.
“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 added.
