Ondo State Government has debunked a report forbidding teachers from enrolling their children in private schools.
In a statement titled: “Re-Akeredolu to Ondo teachers: It’s an offence to enrol your wards in private schools,” signed by the governor’s spokesman, Richard Olatunde, it said: “Our attention has been drawn to a news story making the round particularly on the social media with the above headline.
“It is imperative to enlighten our people and shed light on the perspective of the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, who made the statement.
“Undoubtedly, the Ondo State Government under Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has made huge investment in the education sector in the state, especially in Primary and Secondary Schools. Tertiary institutions not excluded.
“The rot, which pervaded public schools in the state before the Akeredolu administration assumed office is fast disappearing. This has also led to increase in student enrollment in most of the schools.
“Under the Akeredolu administration, over 800 Public Primary Schools have been reconstructed and renovated with perimeter fence, ICT center and play group equipment. The students now enjoy modern desks and chairs procured by the Akeredolu administration. Besides, Governor Akeredolu recently recruited one thousand two hundred teachers in the Public primary schools.
“It is based on this background that teachers in the public schools were urged on moral ground to enroll their wards in public schools for confidence building. This will subsequently increase enrollment and further encourage government to embark on more upgrade of public schools.
“Succinctly, there is no policy or law in Ondo State that forbids anyone in the service of the government, including teachers, from enrolling their wards in any school. However, there is always a place for moral burden. It is, therefore, not an offence for teachers to enroll their wards in any school of their choice. But, it will be morally wrong for teachers, who are proud of their works and teachings to put their wards in a private school.
“Finally, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, will continue to prioritise education and develop it for the overall interest of the people of the state. It is the belief of the Governor that qualitative education is the key to a better tomorrow.”
The state government in report which circulated at the weekend, titled “Akeredolu to Ondo teachers: It’s an offence to enrol your wards in private schools,” had criminalised enrolment by teachers of their children in private schools.
According to the report: “Ondo state government, said weekend, that it has become an offence for any teacher in it’s public schools across the state to enroll their children in private schools.
This, according to the state chairman of Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon Victor Olabimtan, followed
the dwindling population of pupils in public primary schools across the state.
The Head Press & information Services of the board, Bisi Agboola, in a statement in Akure, said government was worried over the development, despite it’s investment in primary education across the state.
Agboola, said the chairman, at a meeting with head teachers across the three senatorial districts of the state, “frowned at the dwindling population of pupils in public schools inspite of government efforts.
According to him “Hon Olabimtan noted that the teachers will henceforth be held responsible for any drop in schools’ enrolment.
“The SUBEB chairman condemned in strong term the attitude of some teachers taking their biological children to private schools and ruled that it has become an offence for any public school teachers to take their wards to private schools.
“Olabimtan said Ondo state government will not relent in its efforts at upgrading school standard as well as its personnels.
” He called on the Education Secretary in the 18 Local government areas not to hesitate at reporting any teacher found wanting in their duty post for possible sanction.
“The chairman therefore charged the teachers to buckle up and do the needful in the area of enrollment drive and shun any act of indolence.”
