By Asaye Bankole
The Ondo State Government has approved the establishment of a new College of Education in Obenla, Ilaje Local Government Area, while banning students in public and private secondary schools across the state from using mobile phones during school hours.
The Commissioner for Education and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, and the Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing with journalists at the Ministry of Education’s conference hall.
Ajibefun said the decision to ban mobile phones was taken because of concerns over the growing use of the devices by students and its effect on their concentration and participation in academic activities.
He said students had been bringing different types of mobile phones to school, with the devices increasingly becoming a distraction during lessons.
The commissioner warned that any student caught violating the directive would face disciplinary action, adding that the confiscated phone would be permanently forfeited.
Ajibefun also disclosed that the state government was strengthening the Safe School Initiative to enhance the security of students, teachers and school facilities across the state.
According to him, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had constituted a committee to coordinate the initiative, with the Commissioner for Education and Technology serving as its chairman alongside representatives of relevant security agencies.
On the ongoing strike involving lecturers in some of the state’s tertiary institutions, Ajibefun said the government was making efforts to resolve the dispute and ensure the resumption of academic activities.
He explained that Ondo State has four tertiary institutions and attributed part of the delay in resolving the issues surrounding payments to a communication gap between the government and the workers’ union.
The commissioner said Governor Aiyedatiwa had held discussions on the matter and expressed optimism that the strike would soon be resolved.
Also speaking, Ajanaku said the new Ondo State College of Education would be located in Obenla, Ilaje Local Government Area.
Obenla is the hometown of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Ajanaku said the establishment of the institution was part of the state government’s plans to expand access to tertiary education and strengthen the education sector.
He added that the institution would also create employment opportunities, particularly through the recruitment of teachers and other educational personnel.
The commissioner urged young people in the state to pursue science-oriented courses, stressing that science and technology remained critical to the development of society.
He said encouraging more students to study science-related disciplines would help produce a generation equipped with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to the development of Ondo State and the country.
The government said it remained committed to improving the quality of education, strengthening security in schools and expanding educational opportunities for residents across the state.
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