Osun State, Nigeria – Many public secondary schools in Osun State are at risk of being attacked by hoodlums, as about half of them do not have night security guards, according to a report obtained by Al Jazeera.

The report, titled “Report of Osun Education Summit 2023,” was prepared by the state government in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, and assessed the condition of secondary education in Osun State with a view to repositioning the sector for better performance.

The report revealed that most of the school buildings were old, dilapidated and without perimeter fencing, making them vulnerable to vandalism and theft. It also noted that special schools for persons with disabilities were facing infrastructural challenges and shortage of qualified teachers.

The report urged the government and other stakeholders, such as the Parent-Teacher Association and alumni bodies, to make necessary arrangements to employ night guards to secure public secondary schools in the state where there is none. It also called for more learning centers and teachers for special schools, and more parental involvement in the welfare of their children.

The report also highlighted the issue of uneven distribution of teachers in urban and rural schools, which affected the accreditation of schools for the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and National Examination Council. It recommended that the government should deploy more teachers to rural schools and provide incentives for them.

The report was based on a survey of 1,000 stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, school administrators, education experts and policy makers. It also reviewed the existing policies and programs of the state government on secondary education.

The report was presented to Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Wednesday, who commended the committee for its work and promised to implement its recommendations. He said his administration was committed to improving the quality and standard of education in the state.

The governor also appealed to the federal government and other partners to support the state in its efforts to transform the education sector. He said education was a key factor for national development and social cohesion.

Osun State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, located in the southwestern region. It has a population of about 4.2 million people, according to the 2020 census. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and natural resources.

Source: PUNCH