Ondo Assembly backs reforms in basic education sector
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology has embarked on a familiarisation visit to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), with a strong call for reforms to address the challenges facing basic education in the state.
The visit, led by the committee chairman, Hon. Kolawole Ologede, had in attendance the Vice Chairman, Hon. Dr. Christopher Ogunlana; Majority Leader, Hon. (Chief) Olatunji Oshati; and Hon. Tope Agbulu, among other members. According to Hon. Ologede, the visit became necessary following the recent constitution of a new committee, which included many new members who needed to acquaint themselves with SUBEB’s operations.
In his remarks, Hon. Ologede commended SUBEB Chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabintan, for his dedication that have given the board credibility both within and outside the state. He noted that Olabintan’s background as a teacher, legislator and public servant had contributed greatly to SUBEB’s successes, particularly in ensuring quality assurance, infrastructure development, and the introduction of agricultural programmes in schools.
The committee chairman, however, appealed to SUBEB to ensure that legislators were carried along in future projects and interventions.
The committee said more attention should be paid to teaching and speaking indigenous languages like Yoruba so that it won’t go into extinction.
The Committee acknowledged SUBEB’s achievements, including school sports and agriculture programmes. They called for sustained collaboration between the Assembly and SUBEB, while also urging the board to tackle infrastructural decay in many primary schools.
In his response, SUBEB Chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabintan, reeled out the activities, achievements and challenges of the board since his assumption of office. He explained that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) at the federal level provides intervention funds to states, which are accessed only when counterpart funding is paid. According to him, about 80 percent of the funds are committed to infrastructure, while the rest goes into quality assurance, monitoring, sports and agricultural development in schools.
He disclosed that Ondo State has been rated number one in compliance with UBEC guidelines and has excelled in school sports competitions. He also revealed that over 60 schools had benefited from agriculture seed grants, with pupils engaging in poultry, fishery and farming projects.
Despite these strides, Olabintan identified challenges such as overdependence on UBEC funding and the proliferation of substandard private schools. He warned that unless private schools are properly regulated, they may end up raising “educated illiterates” due to unqualified teachers and poor facilities.
The SUBEB boss urged parents to have confidence in public schools, disclosing that over 90 percent of schools in the state are UNESCO-compliant and manned by qualified teachers. He reminded lawmakers that by 2026, only teachers certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) would be allowed to teach, as unqualified teachers would no longer be tolerated.
Olabintan further assured that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had shown willingness to provide a special state intervention fund to tackle emergency school repairs. He called for the committee’s continued support in reforming the sector, stressing that education remains the foundation of development.
The visit ended on a positive note, with lawmakers pledging closer collaboration with SUBEB to improve teaching standards, provide better infrastructure, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms in public schools across Ondo State.
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