Towards improving their competencies, teachers in the employ of the Oyo state government will get financial rewards for performing beyond set threshold.
Encapsulated in the Oyo education intervention programme called OYOMESI, select teachers across the state will also embark on capacity trainings while students can access relevant instructional materials on digital platforms and applications of the state government.
These are among the offerings of the OYOMESI programme launched by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, on Wednesday, in Ibadan.
Speaking at the programme, Ajimobi harped on the importance of education that uplifts good character, moral values especially respect for leaders and constituted authorities.
He emphasized parents as critical stakeholders in instilling responsible behaviour and good character in young ones.
He also drew attention to the intent of establishing the Technical University, Ibadan, to train students to meet local needs and prevent brain drain.
This is just as he announced former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe as Chancellor of the Technical University, billed for takeoff on October 5, 2017.
State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela remarked that the OYOMESI programme aimed at improving competence of students and teachers through digitization of education, character moulding and retraining of teachers.
Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Education, Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi who heads the OYOMESI project team, was to refresh the capacity of rusty teachers in the state’s schools.
She added that best performing teachers will be assessed, using competence cards, and rewarded financially.
“We have a structured development programme called continue professional development for teachers whereby every teacher coming into the profession in Oyo state will go through an induction phase.”
“This is where they will be given the ethics of the profession and taught delivery. Our teachers are rusty. Some of them have graduated over 30 years ago and have not had requisite capacity training. Some of our trainers train our teachers amiss.”
“We are looking at streamlining the content for professional development of teachers in line with world best practices to ensure that whatever trainer A is training them is same as that of trainer B. As such, the entire education sector will be enriched and there will be value addition.”
“OYOMESI is to fix the potholes and prevent a decline in our educational provision. We don’t want people that are educated and not enlightened, sensible or governable. We want people that are civil, competent and decent,” Bisi Akin-Alabi said.
The roll call of guests at the event included members of the state executive council; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; former governor of Oyo state, Dr Omololu Olunloyo; Chairman, Oyo APC, Chief Akin Oke; former Oyo deputy governor, Hazeem Gbolarunmi and former Oyo Chief Judge, Justice Nurudeen Adekola (retd).
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