By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on the bill seeking to establish a Board for the Management of Secondary Schools in the state.
The hearing, held at the Assembly Complex, Akure, brought together lawmakers, government officials, education stakeholders and other interested parties to deliberate on the proposed legislation.
Declaring the hearing open on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, said the bill was aimed at strengthening the administration and management of secondary schools across the state.
Gbegudu explained that the proposed board would provide a structured management system for secondary schools, similar to the role of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the basic education sector.
According to him, the board will be responsible for managing personnel, equipment and infrastructure, as well as executing capital projects and other activities necessary for the effective running of secondary schools.
He noted that the board would provide a more autonomous and efficient framework for decision-making and policy implementation, adding that when passed into law, the bill would improve the quality of secondary education management in Ondo State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Kolawole Ologede, said the bill had been committed to his committee for legislative scrutiny in line with the Assembly’s mandate.
He said the public hearing was organized to give major stakeholders the opportunity to make contributions, identify grey areas and submit memoranda that would help the committee harmonize views for consideration by the House.
Ologede stated that if passed, the legislation would provide a more effective management system for secondary schools and place Ondo among states that have adopted similar models.
He added that the establishment of the board could also open opportunities for the state to attract grants and support from donor agencies for the development of secondary education.
He urged stakeholders to make meaningful inputs and appreciated the leadership of the House, members of the committee and other participants for their support.
Present at the hearing were Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Hon. Raymond Daodu, Hon. Tope Agbulu, Hon. Morenike Witherspoon, Hon. Chris Ayebusiwa, Hon. Fatai Atere and Hon. Oluwatoyin Japhet, among other lawmakers and stakeholders.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, also attended the hearing alongside other key players in the education sector.
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