The Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Oyo State, is yet to resume classes for the new academic session. This development was revealed when Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, visited communities affected by the abduction. The commissioner assessed the state of education and efforts to return children to school. He found that the Baptist-owned school had not reopened for the first term.
Commissioner Olayiwola led senior officials of the ministry on a working visit to Oriire Local Government Area. The visit aimed to evaluate the situation in schools affected by the abduction. The commissioner directed the Director of Basic Education to engage the Nigerian Baptist Conference on possible interventions to support the school. This move is to prevent the school's closure and ensure it can accommodate children.
The school is privately owned by the Nigerian Baptist Conference. The government has expressed its commitment to ensuring every school is open and functional. During the visit, the commissioner interacted with parents and children in the Yawota community. Concerns were raised about children who had not returned to school and were instead engaged in skills-acquisition activities during school hours.
The Oyo Abduction occurred on May 15, targeting schools in Yawota and neighbouring Ahoro-Esiele community. The attack resulted in the abduction of 46 schoolchildren and teachers. The victims spent 56 days in captivity before their rescue on July 10. The incident triggered widespread concerns about the safety of schools in the area.
The commissioner's visit also included Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, which has resumed activities. However, teachers identified a shortage of personnel, particularly Mathematics teachers, as a major challenge. The commissioner directed the Tutor-General to facilitate the posting of additional teachers to the school. This move aims to address the shortage and ensure the school can provide quality education.
The commissioner received a request from Parent-Teacher Association teachers seeking absorption into the state's teaching service commission. The teachers have continued to serve the school before, during, and after the security incident. The commissioner directed the tutor-general to prepare a submission on interested community indigenes willing to teach for consideration by the state governor.
With the first term underway, returning schools and pupils to normal academic activities remains a challenge in some affected communities. The commissioner visited locations where children were learning vocational skills and urged parents to prioritise their education. He directed relevant ministry officials to follow up on the affected children and facilitate their return to school. This effort aims to prevent a further increase in the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Key points
- The Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Oyo State, remains closed despite the new academic session starting.
- The Oyo State government is committed to ensuring every school is open and functional.
- The May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State resulted in the kidnapping of 46 victims, who spent 56 days in captivity.
