Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has directed the nine-man committee on the repositioning of tertiary institution in the state to verify the implementation of reforms initiated by the administration in the four state-owned tertiary institutions.

Inaugurating the committee in Osogbo at the weekend, Aregbesola said it is the desire of the government to put a stop to secondary school students’ yearly poor performance in external examinations.

The governor said the time is ripe for something to be done urgently to ensure that performances of pupils reflect the heavy investment in education by the government.

The Committee on the Repositioning of State-Owned Tertiary Institutions is headed by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Bola Ige University, Osogbo, Prof. Oguntola Jeleel Alamu.

Members of the committee include Prof. Olasupo Oladipo, Prof. Layi Afgbenle, Prof. Ajeyalemi, Dr. Yemi Adegoke, Engr. Abimbola Daniyan. Others are Mr. Niyi Akande, Mr. Tunde Ajiboye and Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Abiola Adewemimo.

Aregbesola charged the committee to verify the implementation of all reforms, which government initiated in the four state-owned tertiary institutions: Adeyemi Oyedotun College of Education Ila-Orangun; Lawrence Omole College of Education, Ilesha; Sunday Afolabi Polytechnic, Iree and Bisi Akande College of Technology, Esa-Oke.

Aregbesola said: “The realisation of poor performance of our students over a decade compelled us to ask the tertiary institutions to offer remedial courses so as for more of our students to be matriculable.

“Your committee is therefore to verify progress on the implementation of all reforms we have initiated in the four institutions in focus.

“If you find any shortcoming or deficiency in the implementation of the reform, don't hesitate to immediately correct it.

“What we want is Colleges of Education and Polytechnics that will be involved in the present and future of the communities that play host to the institutions.

“It will however be sad if these institutions are not interested in the future of the communities hosting them.”

The governor also directed the committee to carry out staff audits of both academic and non-academic staff of these institutions so as to be sure that the available resources to the schools are being judiciously used.

He equally tasked the committee, which has two weeks to complete its work, to look into the curriculum and course of study in the institutions, adding that his administration wanted to be sure that the institutions are properly set up to inculcate the kind of education the society desire to grow and progress.

Aregbesola said: “We want to be sure the resources available to the institutions are properly and judiciously used. Find out if the staff strength is impeding the judicious use of the resources and suggest what can be done to correct the situation.”

In his response, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Oguntola, said the efforts of government directed towards revitalising education is solid but it will take time to yield results.

According to him, the remedial and basic studies will serve as short term solution to mitigating the trend of failure.

He also noted that parents and students need to be re-orientated to stop encouraging or supporting their wards in cutting corners in the external examinations henceforth.

Said he: “We will do our best to make sure the efforts of government in bringing back the old days of quality education. This committee will do in its capacity to make sure government policies and projects are better implemented.

“On the need to teach vocational training, we will ensure that the institutions train people to be self-reliant in basic skills they need to function in the society. If this can’t be done, it means we have failed as institutions.”

•Photo shows Committee Chairman, Prof. Oguntola Jeleel Alamu.

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