BREAKING: Govt Declares Monday Public Holiday

  

Monday, 7th October 2024, has been declared as a work-free day for teachers across the state in celebration of Teachers' Day by The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. This gesture aims to honour educators and provide them with a day off to mark the significance of their contributions to the education sector. Consequently, schools in Ogun State will resume academic activities on Tuesday, 8th October 2024.

The announcement was made by Governor Abiodun during the Teachers’ Day celebration, which took place on Saturday at the Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta. The governor used the occasion to highlight various educational reforms and initiatives his administration has implemented since taking office.

One of the major announcements during the event was the approval for the construction of 12 blocks of 900 smart classrooms, spread across four key secondary schools in the state. These schools include Abeokuta Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Remo Secondary School, and Yewa College. The smart classrooms are part of the governor's broader plan to integrate technology into education and improve the quality of learning environments in Ogun State.

Governor Abiodun also shared updates on the introduction of the Ogun Digitalised Multimedia Lesson Plan, which is designed to provide teachers with standardised digital tools for lesson delivery. This initiative is aimed at raising the quality of education and ensuring consistency in teaching methods across the state.

Additionally, the governor revealed the establishment of a Central Education Management Information System (CEMIS), which will facilitate the efficient collection, analysis, and reporting of educational data. This system is intended to support better decision-making and resource allocation within the education sector.

Another notable development mentioned was the approval of the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund, which is geared towards improving educational infrastructure and ensuring adequate funding for schools. Governor Abiodun emphasized that his administration had successfully conducted the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) using Optical Mark Reader (OMR) technology, further underscoring his commitment to modernizing the state's education system.

During his address, Governor Abiodun also acknowledged the challenges faced by schools, particularly those with abandoned projects from previous years. He assured the public that efforts are underway to complete abandoned schools and infrastructure projects from 2018 and 2019. He explained that delays were primarily caused by inflation and unrealistic pricing, which made it difficult to complete the projects.

To address these issues, the governor said he had set up a task force led by the Head of Service to identify the "worst of the worst" schools in need of urgent intervention. He stated that the new work plan for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) would ensure that abandoned projects are completed and that the most dilapidated schools are prioritised.

Governor Abiodun expressed his determination to ensure that the education sector in Ogun State remains a model for other states, with improved learning environments and digital resources to enhance the overall quality of education. The governor's numerous initiatives reflect his administration's commitment to addressing the infrastructural and technological challenges in the state's schools, ensuring a brighter future for Ogun students and teachers alike.

As the teachers prepare to enjoy their well-deserved holiday, the governor's promises signal a renewed focus on educational development in Ogun State, with reforms that aim to transform the teaching and learning experience for all.