The enrolment of pupils into public schools in Kwara State has increased astronomically. Findings showed that more parents, especially in four local government areas- Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Baruten and Offa are enrolling their children in public schools, especially at the basic education level.
For instance, the LGEA Primary School, Pakata, Ilorin with barely 3,000 pupils in the 2021 academic session is now having 5,217 pupils in the current academic session.
This development is as a result of the thorough recruitment of about 5,000 teachers for the basic public schools in core subject areas in the state and the introduction of KwaraLEARN- a novel teaching/learning process.
KwaraLEARN which has commenced in four local government areas in its first phase has increased the enrolment of pupils in public schools.
The scheme has improved the quality of teaching with the use of technology and automated solutions in public schools.
Under the programme, teachers have been given gadgets to aid their teaching and this has made absenteeism by the teachers and skipping of lessons impossible.
Confirming the development, the chairman of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja said, “The huge investment in basic education by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is responsible for the increase in schools’ enrolment.”
Adaramaja added, “Enrolment into our schools during the current academic session (2022/2023) has skyrocketed. For example, LGEA Primary School, Pakata Ilorin, with barely 3,000 pupils in the previous academic year, is now having 5,217 pupils. The huge investment in basic education by His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is responsible for an increase in school enrolment.
“The fact that Kwara public schools are doing well in quiz and debate championships at national and international levels is a significant factor responsible for huge enrolment in our basic schools. The introduction of KwaraLEARN, distribution of free textbooks in core subject areas of Mathematics, English Language, Basic Science and Technology for pupils in primary 4–6; recruitment of qualified teachers including recruitment of 51 first-class honours graduates into our workforce, regular payment of SUBEB workers’ salaries and implementation of promotion arrears of 2017 to 2019 – all contributed significantly to exemplary performances of our teachers cumulatively attracting more pupils into our schools.
Special gratitude to our Governor, His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Executive Governor of Kwara State for his support and superlative interest in basic education. History has it that his huge investment in basic education is the largest ever since the creation of Kwara State in 1967.
This article appeared originally on Leadership, Nov 11, 2022.
