In commemorating the International Day of Education, which falls due every 24 January, the Executive Chairman of Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon Victor Olabimtan has said that without sound education, there cannot be any semblance of peaceful co-existence, meaningful sociopolitical education, growth and development of the human race.
Olabimtan described education as the bedrock of all civilisation and development. Drawing a parallel line between illiteracy and literacy, he said the major difference between the two words is ability to apply logical reasoning in whatever enterprise one engages in.
While describing education as a right, a public good and a public responsibility, the Ondo State SUBEB boss, who was a school Principal before venturing into politcs, said that because of the premium the state government under Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu places on education, it prioritised development in the sector by investing public funds into basic education especially.
“As at end of last year, 1,200 teachers were recruited to fill existing critical vacancies in public primary schools talkkess of construction, reconstruction, renovation of school buildings, provisions of furniture for teachers and pupils as well boleholes and other necessities to make teaching and learning more friendlly”, he said.
On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for bringing global peace and sustainable development. Education has been the most important weapon to fight illiteracy, ignorance, tribalism, nepotism, corruption and all other sociopolitical ills.
According to UNESCO without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
Today, 244 million children and youth are out of school, and 771 million adults are illiterate with their right to education being violated.
According to Olabimtan, this is why the Akeredolu administration on coming to office in 2015 paid all outstanding counterpart funds of the Universal Basic Education Commission, which has enabled the state to re-engineer the basic education sector. This, he said, has made Ondo State one of the best among it counterparts in the country in pupils enrolment, and reducing out-of-school’s children, and performance in both internal and external examinations.
