Why Scholarship Board should be strengthened – ODHA

Ondo State House of Assembly has described functional education and technological growth as panacea to enduring legacy in the education sector.

Members of the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology made the assertion during their familiarisation visit to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB),State Teaching Service Commission , (TESCOM)and State Scholarship Board in Akure.

The lawmakers who observed the dwindling human resources in public schools in the state called for urgent recruitment of more teachers to fill the obvious vacancies.

Members stressed the need to strengthen the state scholarship board by ensuring linkages with foreign partners, bodies and philanthropists in order to meet its financial obligation to indigent students in tertiary institutions.

Chairman of the committee, Mr Toluwani Simeon- Borokini posited that members will support every move to invest in the sector in order to ensure that solid foundation are laid for incoming generations.

Borokini who commended the state government for its effort in giving face lift to public primary schools across the state, encouraged the boards to work closely with the assembly to further strengthen the system.

The Chairman SUBEB, Princess Oladunni Odu who had earlier outlined the numerous achievements of the board in year 2019 affirmed that several primary schools across the state have witnessed turn around in terms of infrastructural development.

She added that training and retraining, promotion of staff, distribution of instructional materials and public schools enrolment drive among others have been the board’s priority.

The SUBEB boss informed that the board is currently collaborating with the Local Government service Commission to facilitate the transfer of 617 local government staff who are holders of NCE and B.ed certificates to the board. She however sought for the assistance of the assembly in fast tracking the recruitment of teachers into public schools as well as more funding of primary education.

Also, the Permanent Secretary TESCOM, Mrs Olufunmilayo Ajayi who reeled out the activities and challenges of the board to the committee noted that the commission has placed embargo on Rural – urban migration of teachers except on crucial condition.

The Administrative Secretary of Scholarship Board, Mr Ayodele Jemilugba who also briefed the lawmakers on their activities and various challenges, opined that government could harness other sources to complement its effort in boosting education via scholarship and bursary award stating that the board is facing a lot of challenges.

Committee members on the visit include Mr Toluwani Simeon-Borokini, the house Majority leader, Mr Jamiu Maito, Vice Chairman of the committee, Dr Olayemi Adeyemi, Mrs Favour Tomomewo, Mr Felemu-gudu Bankole.