Oyo to ‘restrategise’ after zero turnout on day one of free classes for out-of-school children

Oyo state government’s free evening classes for out-of-school children recorded zero attendance on the first day, as no pupil turned out for the scheme . On Friday, Olusegun Olayiwola, the commissioner for education, science and technology, announced the initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children through lessons held around major markets in the state. The pilot phase was scheduled to begin on Monday between 4pm and 6pm at designated centres, including St. Brigid’s Primary School, Mokola, St. Patrick’s Basic School, Idi-Ikan, Agbeni; and Methodist Primary School, Bodija. Bamidele Oyinloye, permanent secretary at the ministry of education, who arrived at the school for an on-the-spot assessment, said there was also no turnout at the Bodija centre, where the commissioner had also gone for inspection. State officials further confirmed that no students showed up at St. Patrick’s Basic School in Agbeni. Oladipo Susan, director of basic education, said the ministry had engaged a town crier to publicise the programme in Agbeni markets, adding that announcements were also made on the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS). Oyinloye said the team had expected to receive students on the first day but acknowledged the outcome fell short of expectations. “We are not resting on our oars. We would go back and restrategise,” the permanent secretary said. Officials from the Oyo State Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education (Oyo AANFE) were also present at the centre for observation.