The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday reiterated the administration’s commitment to transforming the education sector and putting it on a sure footing.
He said the administration was determined to leaving no stone unturned in its drive to provide the necessary support to raise the bar of education to meet its status as the bedrock of socio-economic development.
Oyetola maintained that the recent educational reforms which are products of the yearnings of the people in the State, are aimed at conforming the sector to global best practices for optimum results.
He said the N11billion earmarked for education sector in the proposed 2021 Budget was a justification of the government’s commitment to a sector that is central to the growth of other sectors.
This is even as the Governor announced the automatic employment for the overall best graduating student of the State College of Education, OSCOED, Ilesa, Miss Agboola Lateefat Oluwakemi.
Governor Oyetola stated these at the 42nd Founder’s Day and the 27th Convocation Ceremony of the Institution, held at the College’s premises, Ilesa, Osun.
Addressing the participants, Oyetola who is the Visitor to the Institution, disclosed that the allocation of substantial funds to education was a giant leap toward ultimately meeting UNESCO’s 26 per cent budget allocation to education, thus complementing the government’s relentless commitment to uplifting the education sector and stimulating a vibrant knowledge economy for the State.
“Education, as we all know, occupies an important place on the priority list of our Administration. We are therefore committed to leaving no stone unturned in our drive to transform the sector and put it on a sure footing.
“The recent educational reforms in the State, which are products of the yearnings of the people are examples of the length we are ready to go together to conform our education to best practices for optimum results.
“The 18 per cent allocation to education in the proposed Budget for Year 2021 which translates to almost N11 billion is also an indication of our heart to a sector that is central to the growth of other sectors.
“This allocation is a giant leap to meeting the UNESCO 26 per cent budhet proposal. This again signals our relentless commitment to uplifting our education sector and stimulating a vibrant knowledge economy for our State. We shall always strive to do more”, he added.
Governor Oyetola also restated the administration’s resolve to continue to invest massively in upgrading the infrastructure and other learning facilities, as well as assist in staff development to enable them to keep pace with the required global standard in the education sector.
He commended the institution for maintaining moral and ethical standards since its establishment. He noted that his administration was determined to ensure that the State’s tertiary institutions become benchmarks in Nigeria, ranking comparatively with global institutions and producing competent leaders of tomorrow.
He congratulated the graduands for working hard to earn the Nigeria Certificate in Education in various disciplines, saying the new feats marked the fulfilment of their academic objectives for self-development and contributions to national development.
The Governor urged the graduands not to be complacent and content with the present achievement but rather, to be ready to set new targets and create new benchmarks to attain more horizons in life.
The Visitor also admonished the graduands on giving back to the college.
