Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that building state-of-the-art schools to impart knowledge and build strong characters in the Osun children is a priceless legacy his administration is determined to leave behind in the state.

The Governor, while commissioning the newly completed N130 million Olufi Government Middle School in Gbongan, stated that his government sees school as an investment that will impact on the future of Osun and the society.

Aregbesola stated that the belief in building a better society has guided state’s policy and aspirations on education, noting that the present administration in Osun has revolutionaries education.

He held that the new Olufi Government Middle School has risen from its ashes to a 1,450-capacity school with 29 classrooms that can accommodate 50 pupils each.

The complex has a staff room, Assistant Headmaster’s Office, Headmaster’s Office with private toilet, 3 Science Laboratories, a Library, Hall, a Secretary/waiting room, a sick bay, 10 toilets for pupils, 10 toilets for teachers, a storage space and water borehole.

The Governor said: “Those of you who were familiar with this school in the past and compared to what it is now will admit that nothing short of a revolution has taken place here.

“I see a school as a tiny mustard seed when planted, but soon grows into a big tree whose branches and foliage provides homes for different birds and shades and resting place for human. It is from a school that those who will impact and shape our future will emerge.

“It stands to good reasoning therefore that we better provide a good one if we care about the future we want for ourselves.”

He pointed out that government, in arriving at the school concept, considered international best practices hence the construction of public schools of world standard in different communities of the state.

Aregbesola also stated that the government is aware that a beautiful, well equipped and attractive learning environment will bring out the best in the teachers and learners.

Ogbeni Aregbesola added that the evidence of the belief is that the badly behaved pupils from the run-down schools have changed and are now well behaved after they were transferred to the new beautiful schools.

He said: “We want to change the perception of public schools as the plastered mud houses built by Obafemi Awolowo in the glorious era of his free primary education. We thank God that these new buildings are changing that perception.

“Indeed, discipline is of major concern for us now in Osun public schools. A good education also prepares one for leadership position and for greater stake in society. This is why school leavers are expected to not only have their intellect cultivated but acquire character as well.

“A scientist who knows how to break an atom, if lacking in character, is a mass murderer waiting to happen.”

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor of Osun, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education, said the new school building is for all the pupils of Osun regardless of the circumstances or place s of their birth.

She held that the State Government will not stop work until it has achieved her goal of making public schools where students will be at par with any student of other world class schools.

•Photo shows Governor Aregbesola in class, dressed like a student.

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