By Adebayo Olodan
The Kwara State Government has warned Zonal Coordinators of education
against forging a pact with proprietors, principals and head teachers
of any of the 99 schools which were shut across the 16 local
governments of the state for not meeting up with basic requirements.
Speaking with our reporter in her office, yesterday, the Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia
Maryam Garuba said there have been no reversal of fortune for the 99
schools that were closed down across the state by the Quality
Assurance Bureau (QAB) of the ministry.
She said, “Those 99 schools that were closed down before the end of
last academic session, remain shut.
“Before resumption, we had a meeting with the Zonal Coordinators who
are in-charge of collating the names and monitoring of those schools.
We told them at the ministry that any school that is not given formal
approval to open should not be allowed to operate.
“If any of those schools operate, that means the Zonal Coordinator
must have compromised and such person will be in for it. So, we are
not taking it lightly at all.”
Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary warned parents and guardians
against patronage of substandard schools, saying the state government
will not compromise.
Hajia Garuba further advised parents to pay premium attention to the
education of their wards. According to her, as you lay your bed, so
shall you lie on it.
“We are advising that parents should be very proactive and they should
be focused. It is the way you handle your child that will determine
his/her future.
“If you are the compromising type; if your child tells you the first
week is for labour and you allow him to stay at home, he/she will
continue to lose. If your child gives you any flimsy excuse, insist
that he goes to school and ensure that he is in school.”
