By Gbenga Sodeinde
Heritagenewsng reports that the Ekiti State Government is set to withdraw teachers on secondment to other spheres of the Public Service and inject them in Public Secondary Schools in the State.
The Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Hon. Babatunde Abegunde who made this known in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with representatives of the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) in the State, explained that the move was to boost teaching force in Public Schools in the State.
Assuring that the State Government would leave no stone unturned towards boosting and sustaining a high standard of education in the State.
Abegunde highlighted some of the efforts of the Fayemi led administration to develop the education sector in the State to include the recent recruitment of over 400 teachers and conversion to the teaching profession of another 150, free education for students , payment of WAEC fees, granting of loans to teachers and establishment of new Model Schools in the State.
The Tescom Chairman however solicited the continued support of parents for government’s efforts at developing the education sector in the State.
Abegunde stressed the need for parents to shun acts that would jeopardize government efforts at developing education sector. He said parents should support efforts to restore the culture of strict discipline and human dignity in schools.
Describing the intimidation of teachers by some parents for trying to instil discipline in their children as total aberration.
Abegunde emphasised the need to allow teachers to do their job adding that class attendance was part of assessment of external examinations such as WAEC and NECO.
Tescom Board members, Commissioner 1 and 2 Hon Osuolale Olorunsola and Hon Princess Jumoke Owoola respectively charged the parents on punctuality , indecent dressing, truancy and to re educate the students on the need for them to place high value on education.
Also speaking ,the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education,Science and Technology, Dr Mrs Folakemi Olomojobi disclosed that millions of naira had been spent in the payment of WAEC fees, Running grants, payment of placement exams for Primary schools, J.S.S 3 and the unified exam for S.S.2 students.
She explained that the meeting was scheduled to rub minds with the parents in order to instil positive/good attitudes in the minds of the students.
PS Education frowned at the menace of drug abuse addiction and secret cultism among students noting that parents should also know their children’s movements and the type of friends they keep.
In his remarks ,the Executive Secretary of Tescom Mr Alani Daramola who also frowned at teachers’ molestation said that parents should not pay government back by harassing teachers. He noted that ethics and values are missing in these modern days which needed to be worked upon.
In his response, the P.T A Chairman Ekiti State Chapter Chief Samuel Osadare appreciated the maiden meeting and lauded the State government for it’s numerous efforts in education sector promised on behalf of others that they are fully ready to cooperate and complement the efforts of the government aimed at improving education in the State.
He pleaded with the government for the payment of meagre fees to support the government in organizing extra lessons for the students and PTA fees stressing that strict rules and regulations should be given to all parents and to expel any child found assaulting teachers and such would not be admitted into any School in the State.
Osadare pleaded for disciplinary Committee in schools to handle offences and also to give teachers the power to discipline students so as to create more dear and in reshaping their lives for better.
Also in attendance at the meeting were ASUSS Chairman, ANCOPPS Chairman, NUT Chairman, Tutors General, State PTA Executives, Tescom Directors with all Schools PTA Excos.
Several parents raised different observations and suggestions and a communique issued at the end of the meeting.