A recent investigative report has exposed a concerning security gap in approximately 50% of public secondary schools in Osun State. These schools lack night security guards, making them vulnerable to potential attacks by miscreants and criminal elements.
The investigation further uncovered a range of challenges affecting secondary education in the state, including infrastructural issues in special schools.
Osun state’s ailing education
Many school buildings are old, dilapidated, and lack proper perimeter fencing.
One significant issue highlighted in the report is the shortage of qualified teachers in Osun State secondary schools.
This shortage has hindered the accreditation of schools for major examinations such as the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and the National Examination Council. Urban schools have been found to be disproportionately staffed with teachers, leaving rural schools with fewer qualified educators.
The “Report of Osun Education Summit 2023,” spanning 68 pages, was jointly prepared by the state government in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The 2023 Education Summit Committee was tasked with evaluating the state of secondary education in Osun State and proposing measures to enhance the sector’s performance.
The report’s findings call for immediate attention to address the lack of night security guards in these schools to safeguard school properties.
It also highlights the need for more learning centers for individuals with special needs and emphasizes the importance of adequate teacher recruitment in special schools.
It encourages parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education, rather than simply enrolling them in these institutions and neglecting their responsibilities, such as picking their children up during mid-term breaks.
