Over 5,000 indigent pupils spread across some hard-to-reach communities in Oyo State benefitted from the Federal Government BAT-STEM initiative during the official flag off of the programme recently.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to uplift grassroots communities through education and other critical interventions.
The three-day education outreach programme, organised by the Presidential Community Engagement Office (South-West), is part of the Federal Government’s BAT-STEM (Scholarship, Training, Education, Mentorship) project, aimed at providing critical school supplies and scholarships to students across various communities.
The first day of the outreach took the team to several schools, including Nomadic School, Owode, Lanlate; St. Michael Cherubim & Seraphim Primary School, Eruwa; Anwar-ul-Islam Primary School, Eruwa; and Baptist Primary School, Maya, Lanlate, where over 50,000 exercise books, 1,000 school bags, 100 white marker boards, sandals, socks, math sets, and other materials were distributed.
Among the highlights was the visit to Eruwa Special Basic School, where pupils with special needs received back-to-school items.
At Eruwa Special Basic School, where many pupils face additional challenges due to disabilities, the excitement was palpable.
“We never expected to be given such attention, it is a most welcome initiative. These supplies will really help our kids learn better and aid our teachers. This is an exceptional gesture, and we hope it continues”, according to the headmistress.
On the second day, the outreach moved to schools in Oriire and Ogo-Oluwa Local Governments, where students at Tewure Grammar School, Tewure; Ajinapa Community Grammar School, Ajinapa; and Oloya Community Primary School, Oloya, also received back-to-school items and scholarships.
Additional scholarships were presented at Community High School, Iwo Ate, and Baptist Grammar School, Ajaawa.
One of scholarship recipients from Baptist Grammar School expressed gratitude, saying, “this scholarship is a blessing. It has given me hope for a brighter future”.
The programme, which awarded 100 scholarships worth ₦50,000 each to selected students, offered a much-needed financial assistance to help them stay in school and pay for upcoming examinations.
Another scholarship recipient from Baptist Grammar School, Ajaawa, who was effusive with praises recalled that his parents had been worried about the bleak future that awaits him as a result of their inability to fend for his education due to their poor station in life.
“My parents were worried about how they could afford my education, but with this scholarship, I can focus on my studies without that fear, and proceed to pay for my school certificate examinations.”
Principals and teachers in the affected schools also expressed deep appreciation. The principal of Tewure Grammar School said: “These supplies and scholarships are a lifeline for many of our students. For some of them, this is the difference between staying in school and dropping out”.
The principal of Ajinapa Community Grammar School, Ajinapa added: “We are grateful for the instructional materials provided to our teachers, which will greatly enhance our ability to teach more effectively”.
In addition, food items were distributed to teachers and community members, further extending the support of the initiative beyond education.
The BAT-STEM project aims to close educational gaps in underserved communities while providing teachers with the tools they need to cultivate better learning environments.
With plans for further engagement in more communities, the BAT-STEM initiative continues to transform the lives of students, teachers, and families across Oyo State and the South-West region at large.
