The Oyo Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Barr. Abdulrahman Abduraheem has refuted claims that the State government is planning to return some schools to their original owners.
According to Abdularaheem, the only event Governor Seyi Makinde spoke about ownership of schools was at Loyola College during the commissioning of a hall named after Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He disclosed that the Governor advised members of the Old Students Association to direct their request to the Ministry of Education.
Abdularaheem assured that the state government has at no time indicated readiness to return the schools. He further revealed that the State Government has drawn up a Memorandum of Understanding to guide the planned takeover of Government College, Ibadan by the Incorporated Trustees of the Government College Ibadan, comprising the Old Students Association and government nominees.
He also said that the new regime of control at the Government College, Ibadan, is meant to serve as a litmus test for the necessary template on the matter.
The statement read;
“There is clearly no truth to the story making the rounds that the government of Oyo State was about to return schools to their original owners.
“The government does not have such intention and there was nowhere His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde made that statement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor was confronted about a possible return of the Loyola College, Ibadan to the Old Students Association and he asked the association to direct its request to the Ministry of Education for necessary engagement.
“He did not give any directive on the return of the school or any school, whatsoever. It is true that the state has developed a proof of agreement with the Incorporated Trustees of GCIOBA, but that does not in anyway amount to a blanket return of all schools to their original owners.
“While the State will not shy away from productive partnership with stakeholders in the education sector to support its policy of free and qualitative education, it will not take any step capable of upsetting the cord of alliance already existing in a highly treasured sector like education.
“Let me use this opportunity to address some interests who appear bent on twisting the submission of Mr. Governor on this subject upside down to look for other things to do as it is clear they will not succeed in the inglorious path of attempting to whip up religious sentiments on this issue.”
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