By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Report
TO SUPPORT education in Ogun Stat towards bolstering accessibility and affordability, the Ogun State government has allocated N3.5billion for its ongoing ‘Educash transfer’ programme under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The initiative aims to support approximately 100.000 indigent pupils in public primary and secondary schools, along with 50,000 students in tertiary institutions nationwide, once the programme concludes.
According to Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, over 4,000 students and pupils in primary and secondary schools have already benefitted from the programme, giving assurance that every eligible individual would eventually receive support, emphasizing the commitment to the inclusivity and equity.
Prof Arigbabu detailed the breakdown of the allocation, stating, “At the end of the day, the intention is to pay almost 50,000 tertiary students … As of today, we have paid 20,000 students through their parents.”
He further explained, “At the primary and secondary school level, we are going to eventually pay 100,000 pupils … 100,000 tertiary indigent students are targeted so that their parents will get N10,000 each.”
The commissioner reassured parents awaiting the transfer to remain patient, highlighting the logistical challenges of reaching all schools promptly, as he urged those facing delays or issues with the transfer process to communicate through school principals for swift resolutions.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, the special adviser to the governor on education, emphasized the importance of utilizing the funds for the educational advancement of the children, urging parents to prioritize their future.
Parents, including Mrs. Blessing Oyefeso, Mrs. Oluwayemi Osolukoya and Mrs. Sekinat Yusuf, expressed gratitude on behalf of all other parents to the state governor for his commitment and efforts towards enhancing educational opportunities, as well as supporting their children’s education across the state as they pledged to utilize the funds responsibly for the intended purposes and the commended
The ‘Educash transfer’ programme signifies the state government’s dedication to fostering inclusive education and alleviating financial burdens on vulnerable families as schools across the state benefit from this initiative and it is anticipated to have a profound and positive impact on educational outcomes and social mobility, Professor Adegbabu remarked.
