The Oyo State Government has directed teachers in public primary and secondary schools to accelerate efforts to recover academic time lost during the recent industrial action that followed the abduction of teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the ministry’s conference hall in Ibadan.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to discuss measures for restoring normal academic activities.
Addressing participants, Olayiwola stressed the need for schools to implement strategies that would make up for the period lost to the strike, warning that students should not bear the consequences of the disruption.
He urged school administrators and teachers to prioritise effective teaching and learning to ensure pupils and students remain on track academically.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving education under Governor Seyi Makinde, saying efforts to enhance teaching standards and provide a better learning environment would continue.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Baale Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, commended teachers’ unions for suspending the industrial action in the interest of students and the education system.
Representatives of the NUT, ANCOPSS and AOPSHON, however, appealed to the state government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
The union leaders pledged their continued support for quality education in the state while expressing hope for the safe return of their colleagues and the affected students.
Also speaking, Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Education Intervention, Suraju Tiamiyu, expressed confidence that the abducted victims would regain their freedom soon, noting that the government was sustaining efforts to secure their safe release.
