The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has initiated a ₦50 million perimeter fencing project at African Church Secondary Grammar School, Ikirun, in Ifelodun Local Government Area. This project aims to address the persistent security and encroachment challenges faced by the institution. The governor was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.
Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi commended the school's old students association for funding the project, describing it as a commendable display of alumni dedication to educational development. He attributed the structural and logistical deficits in public secondary schools to the school-merger policy implemented by the previous administration, which led to the abandonment and decay of many existing school facilities.
Adewusi assured the school management, staff, and students that the state government would urgently address the concerns raised by the principal, particularly acute teacher shortages and dilapidated infrastructure. He noted that the mass relocation of pupils to mega schools under the previous government resulted in the prolonged disuse and deterioration of legacy structures.
The Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to the school's alumni and teaching staff for their support during the August 15 governorship election. He reassured them that Governor Adeleke remains committed to delivering targeted developmental interventions across the education sector. Adewusi also highlighted the challenges created by the amalgamation of single-sex institutions, which resulted in cultural and administrative dislocations.
Pastor Aderemi Ojedapo, President of the African Church Secondary Grammar School Old Students Association, stated that the association prioritized the perimeter fencing due to rampant encroachment on the institution's landed property by neighboring communities. The alumni members resolved that securing the school perimeter was crucial to safeguarding lives and property.
The association pooled and committed ₦50 million to execute the project. Ojedapo also noted that the alumni body has continued to hire and support ad-hoc teachers within its limited financial resources. He urged the state government to deploy permanent teachers to the school to ensure standard teaching and learning.
The project is part of the government's efforts to address the challenges facing public secondary schools in Osun State. The government's intervention aims to improve the learning environment and provide a safe and conducive atmosphere for students and teachers.
Key points
- The Osun State government has flagged off a ₦50 million perimeter fencing project at African Church Secondary Grammar School to address security challenges.
- The project was funded by the school's old students association to tackle encroachment and security challenges.
- The government has promised to address acute teacher shortages and dilapidated infrastructure in public secondary schools.
