Oyo unveils new education project

OYO state government has unveiled a new model education system intervention called OYOMESI with the intent of improving teachers’ competencies, fostering character education and infusing localized content in its education system.

The OYOMESI project meant to drive the functioning of the School Governing Boards (SGBs), is expected see academic interventions that will enhance numeracy and digital literacy in teaching and learning in primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the state.

The project launched at House of Chiefs, Ibadan, on Tuesday, is championed by office of the special adviser on education in collaboration with efficiency unit and office of the Secretary to the State government.

The project had commenced in March with WAEC boot camp, to be followed by training of select teachers on how to deliver the programmes, sourcing of sponsors and foreign aids while the Oyomesi portal is to take off in September.

Speaking at the unveiling, Special Adviser to the Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Education, Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi aims to improve the quality of basic education, produce globally competitive citizens and prepare Oyo state for a knowledge-based future.

Bisi-Alabi stated that the overall goal of the Oyomesi programme was the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 of inclusive, equitable, quality education and lifelong learning in the state by 2020.

“Part of the vision and mission of the Oyo state model education system interventions otherwise referred to as OYOMESI is to promote student’s achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for all, through character education, localized education contents, and improving teachers competence.”

“It covers everything that will help us to access funds from individual and international community. It will prepare ‎Oyo State for a knowledge based future, usage of technology to create participative, transparent and responsive learning environment,” she said.

Akin-Alabi noted that the new initiative will not interrupt with the current policy of the Ministry of Education, but would be a Public Private Partnership with all relevant stakeholders.

Other deliverables of the project are, Academic interventions, school safety complex advocacy, children’s week, teacher’s enrichment, educational exchanges, parental partnership, global competition and job read clinics.

Speaking at the event, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli held that the project was towards standardising the state’s education system.

In his remarks, state Commissioner for education, science and technology, Prof Joseph Olowofela said the project was bound to become a template for other states to replicate.