Osun strategic intervention in education has eliminated out of school children. Provision of school uniform and school feeding programme significantly assisted the government to eliminate out of school children in Osun since 2013. One of the lessons from Osun State is that the Osun government’s effort in the education sector has removed the dilapidated, neglected school buildings and non-conducive learning environment. All children of school age have been enrolled in public elementary schools in the state of Osun since 2013/2014 academic session to date. Osun state was ranked second state in 2009 with highest number of out of school children in the federation. But today, Osun State stands as the best in elementary school enrolment in Nigeria, following the introduction of education oriented programmes and increase in the state government’s investment in education.

The lesson from Osun State is that under former Governor Aregbesola, Osun could now boast of recording the highest school children enrolment rate in Nigeria and the least state with lowest number of Out Of School Children (OOSC) in Nigeria because of the huge investment in education. Therefore, the Federal Government of Nigeria needs to adopt this strategic intervention to eliminate out of school children. It took determination and strategic intervention to eliminate out of school children in Osun State. Aregbesola’s strategic intervention was the huge investment in education and providing a meal per day for primary school students and free education did the magic, which have increased elementary school enrollment in Osun State. Historically, the Federal Government of Nigeria initiated the Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme (HGSFHP) through the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, in 2004; but the scheme failed and it was re-introduced by Governor Aregbesola in Osun State.

Osun is taking the lead in the number of student’s enrolment in Nigeria, including female student, across the country. A report by the National Bureau of Statistics in Wikipedia puts Osun children’s in primary school enrolment between 70 to 80 percent. More children in Osun State are entering school and the gender gap is quickly closing as more girls make their way to the classroom. In the 2012/2013 school year to date, the overall rate of children enrolled in primary school was 95.2 per cent (95.8 per cent for boys and 94.6 per cent for girls), showing that the gender gap at primary level has essentially been eliminated. However, these gains are undermined by persistent challenges that affect a child’s ability to stay in school.

Osun State has set a standard for both 36 states and Federal Government of Nigeria to follow. Federal Government of Nigeria is building on progress made by former Governor Aregbesola on Osun School Feeding Programme and O uniform policy. The former Governor had transformed Osun schools from obscurity to limelight. The Osun government’s effort in the education sector has removed the dilapidated, neglected school buildings and not too conducive conducive learning environment. Of the many Elementary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools in the infrastructure upgrade under the first phase, government has successfully commissioned many Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, and 11 High Schools. The Elementary Schools have 500 classrooms of standard dimensions, with capacity for 900 pupils in a school for ages between 6-and 9.

It is a truism that any society that wants to develop or advance must invest in the education of its people. This is why every Osun man and woman will remember Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the massive and mega projects in education in Osun state. It was a deliberate plan of government to use mega projects to boost primary and secondary education in the hope and belief that investment at this level of education would lead to advancement of Osun State. The projects are visible in all parts of the state.

More parents are enrolling their children in government-owned primary and secondary schools in Osun State and withdrawing them from private schools. The development is due to the persistent good performance of pupils from the state in public examinations. Osun Public educational institutions, especially the primary and secondary schools, are rising and they have overtaken private schools.

Osun State under Governor Oyetola can now boast of recording the highest school children enrolment rate in Nigeria and the least state with lowest number of Out of School Children, OOSC, in Nigeria according to the National Bureau of Statistics. It took determination and strategic intervention to eliminate out of school children in Osun State.

Recent estimates show that the sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for 52% of the global out-of-school children. 22% of primary school age children in sub-Saharan African were out-of-school. Nigeria’s Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data for 2018 in fact show that some 13.2 million children of primary school age were out of school and North East Nigeria accounting for more than 50 percent. When the junior secondary school component is taken into account, the out of school children (OOSC) problem becomes even larger, with wide regional, geographical and gender disparities across the country. Even when enrolled, hundreds of children (especially girls) are not showing up for class. Although girls’ primary school attendance has generally been improving, this has not been the case for girls from the poorest households.

The Elementary Schools have thousands of classrooms of standard dimensions, with capacity for over 300,000 pupils between ages 6-and 9 per school, who enjoy free books, free mid-day meals and de-worming vaccines that address micronutrient deficiencies, and improve their nutritional status. And the Middle Schools, for pupils within age range of 10-14years from 3-4 kilometers catchment radius, have standard classrooms, with capacity for 900-1000 pupils per school; while high school(s), for students of 15-17years of age, have capacity for 3,000 students per school at 1,000 students per wing Osun is taking the lead in the number of students enrolment in Nigeria, including female student, across the country.

Before now, Osun has witnessed low enrolment turn out in primary schools until the debut of Elementary School Feeding and Health programme of the present administration. The programme, no doubt spurs a great deal of parents and pupils into enrolling in public school in large numbers and this explains why the state towers above other states across the country. Former Governor Aregbesola’s strategic plans have eliminated out of school children in Osun and ensured that the strategic planning process is an important form of accountability and public involvement. The process ensures Osun Education works to develop a curriculum, instruction, and assessment consistently focused on state standards and student achievement goals. The quality, sound education for the children has to take place within modern facilities. What exists in Osun in terms of educational infrastructure development is not symbolism but substance. More than 12,000 teachers have been added to the already existing pool of teachers across the schools in the state. It is not just about physical infrastructure; the human infrastructural is also seriously taken into cognisance, for no educational system can rise above the quality of the teachers.

Former Governor Aregbesola’s strategic plans have eliminated out of school children in Osun and ensured that the strategic planning process is an important form of accountability and public involvement. The process ensures that Osun Education works to develop a curriculum, instruction, and assessment consistently focused on state standards and student achievement goals. The planning process allows all stakeholders including Partners like you – teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community leaders – the occasion to discuss their vision for the education of their children and the best methods for achieving that vision. The plan serves as a guide for all members of the community, aimed at providing a coherent, comprehensive, and logical progression of curriculum, instruction and assessment. All stakeholders, then, can determine how their work fits into the plan and how they can support schools and students in their efforts to achieve their goals.

Osun is ranked 34th among the thirty-six states of the federation in terms of federal allocation which did not deter Aregbesola’s administration from fulfilling his election campaign promises to the people of the state. More than 12,000 teachers have been added to the already existing pool of teachers across the schools in the state. It is not just about physical infrastructure; the human infrastructure is also seriously taken into cognizance, for no educational system can rise above the quality of the teachers.

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Donald wrote in from Osogbo, Osun State.