The increasing number of out-of-school children in the state has been attributed, in part, to the poor condition of school facilities, according to the Association of Old Students of Obokun High School in Osun State.
Following the dismissal of 1,500 teachers employed by the previous administration by Governor Ademola Adeleke, Osun State has the highest percentage of out-of-school children.
During a news briefing to commemorate the school’s 70th anniversary, the former students of Obokun High School, represented by Pastor Oluwatobi Olorunsola, National Caretaker Chairman, urged collaboration the government and interested parties to address the epidemic.
He said: “The state government need to rise to the challenge and rescue the education sector. I want to call on the state governor to save the education sector in the state. Unfortunately, Osun ranks high in the state for out-of-school children in the Southwest. The out-of-school children if not promptly brought back to class may end up being those who will trouble the state and its residents in the near future. There is a need to provide basic amenities in public schools in the state to make them attractive to students and parents.”
“The state of schools across the state is not too good compared to our time and the government needs to help public schools to be able to compete with private ones.”
Olorunsola appealed to old students in the state to assist the government by giving back to their alma mater, saying, “the old students need to help in rescuing the situation. As we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of our school, the old students have decided to help the school with projects that would assist the students in their learning.”