— It’s a Greek gift – PDP

— Aiyedatiwa ‘ll continue to give priority to education sector – APC

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo state, the All Progressive Congress and the People’s Democratic Party have traded words, over the release of N3.5b for the renovation of public schools.

The state Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Kennedy Peretei, described the release of the huge amount, six weeks before the governorship election in the state, as a Greek gift, to entice the people of the state to vote for the ruling APC government.

Peretei therefore cautioned the people of the state not to be swayed by the deceptive tactics of APC.

He wondered the motive behind the announcement and release of the fund after the resumption of schools for the new academic session in the state noting the state government has been dormant during the holiday while the students were on long vacation.

According to him “the Greek gift from the State government is designed to subject the people of the state to further poverty.

He urged the people to stand firm in their resolve to elect candidates who will genuinely serve their interests and address their challenges.

Peretei said that the state government has failed to address the challenge of the out-of-school students confronting the education sector in the state, no fewer than 240,000 children are currently out of school in the state.

” This figure would have probably hit 250,000 with the recent economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governments at the Federal and State levels.

“Before schools resumed on Tuesday, 17th September 2024, the Ondo State government had approximately two months to undertake whatever rehabilitation or renovations needed in schools.

“But they waited till after resumption to announce that, the sum of N3.5b has been approved for rehabilitation and construction of public schools in the State.

“It is evident that it is another campaign promise that will not be met just like all other campaign promises that are awaiting fulfilment”

“I do not have the figures of students of State-owned tertiary institutions that dropped out of school when the APC government jerked up tuition fees beyond the reach of commoners in the State.

“Many parents are still in pain due to their inability to send their children to school, due to tuition hikes.

“Candidates of the West African Examinations Council for Senior Secondary Schools, had their results withheld because the Aiyedatiwa government refused to pay the Registration fees that all previous governments paid on behalf of parents”

“How on earth can anybody dare say that, Ondo State is Lucky with Aiyedatiwa? The government that has reversed all progress made in education by almost twenty years?

“There are primary schools in the riverine areas where Governor Aiyedatiwa comes from that have just two government-paid teachers in the entire school.

“Teaching Primaries one to six in most of the areas, communities employ teachers through self help, to augment and salvage a bad situation.

“Even when the government announced recruitment of teachers, the process was shrouded in secrecy and marred with politics and favouritism. Ondo State cannot be “Lucky” under such failed arrangements.

“Bursaries and grants from Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ( OSOPADEC) are disbursed through questionable procedures. Indeed, Ondo State is very “Unlucky” in the area of education with Aiyedatiwa.

“For a people, who enjoyed free education under the defunct Action Congress (AG) government in the Western region. And replicated during the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), under Chief Adekunle Ajasin, it will be difficult to swallow this “Lucky” pill when November 16 comes.

“Out of school children” used to be an abstract term for most of us in Ondo State. But with the coming of the APC government, the reality is dawning on everybody that, out of school children is not a fairy tale.

“Because in almost every home, there will be one out of school child, because, parents can no longer cope with taking over responsibilities that hitherto were taken up by the government.

“Those who are lying to themselves that they are “Lucky” when their children are dropping out of school can continue to deceive themselves.

“The majority of Ondo State people who are wearing the shoes know where the shoes pinch and will speak very clearly when the election comes.

In a swift response, the Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said the APC led government in the state is determined to make life better for the people of the state.

Kalejaye said that the APC government will continue to give priority to the development of the education sector.

“This is one of the reason the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa signed the release of N3.5b for the renovation of public primary schools”

Kalejaye described primary education as the foundation from which the higher schools harvest quality materials for further grooming.

He said “No doubt, the primary education is a foundation; once it is solid, in terms of physical structures and teaching, the higher schools can be assured of quality harvest.

“The long years of inadequate attention, particularly to the primary schools, have almost crippled the system. In most places, pupils learn under dilapidated buildings.”