The Oyo state government has made a commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state. As part of this effort, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has distributed 96 laptops to the Education Management Information System (EMIS) Offices across the 33 local government areas.
During the distribution ceremony at the Ministry’s Conference room in Secretariat, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof Salihu Adelabu, emphasized the state’s dedication to bringing children back to the classroom. He revealed that during Omituntun 1.0, 15% of the out-of-school children were reintegrated into the education system. The state government intends to increase this number to at least 5% as part of the roadmap for sustainable development.
The 96 laptops were procured and given to the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA AF-TESS) state project offices. These laptops will be used to collect data and information throughout the state, enabling education officers to perform optimally. The ongoing Better Education Service Delivery for All additional financing project is a collaboration between the state government, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the World Bank, focusing on Oyo, Adamawa, and Kastina states.
Governor Seyi Makinde is fully committed to providing quality education as a means of developing high-quality human resources. The Commissioner urged all the beneficiaries to use the laptops strictly for their intended purposes. He emphasized that the program aims to bring out-of-school children back into the educational system, reinforcing the importance of the initiative to the World Bank.
Dr. Bamidele Odekunle, the State Project Coordinator, explained that the BESDA AF-TESS program aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children significantly. The laptops donated to various stakeholders will enhance their effectiveness in addressing this issue. He stressed the importance of gathering accurate data to understand the number of out-of-school children in Oyo state.
The distribution of laptops to education officers marks another step in Oyo state’s drive to ensure quality education for all its citizens. By equipping stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources, the government is actively working towards reducing the number of out-of-school children. This initiative demonstrates the state’s commitment to fostering enduring human capital resources and creating a brighter future for the younger generation.
