Oyo state House of Assembly has called on the executive arm to as a matter of urgency put measures in place to beef up security around public primary and secondary schools within the state.
This, the state legislature stressed would be a proactive move by government and all education stakeholders amidst series of reports of attacks and insecurity across different parts of the country.
The state assembly stated that public schools in the state have for many years operated without adequate security leading to reports of kidnapping, rape, vandalism and theft on government property.
The House made the call on Tuesday March 19 during its Tuesday’s plenary sitting presided over by the deputy speaker, hon. Abiodun Fadeyi, while deliberating on a motion brought before the House by Honourable Dawood Olalere representing Ibadan North West State Constituency.
“Such measures would guarantee safety and secured access to education and further build confidence of parents and guardians to send their children and wards to public schools in the state.”
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker said: “the House takes cognizance of the importance of protecting Public Schools from the insurgent attacks in the form of kidnapping, rape, vandalism and theft with a view to urging the executive arm of governments to put measures in place to beef up security in Public Schools to promote safe and secured access to education in the State.”
In his contribution, Gabriel Babajide, representing Ibadan North State Constituency I, said many schools are in a dilapidated conditions stressing the need for executive through the ministry of education science and technology, to sensitize stakeholders involved in making public schools safer.
Other lawmakers in their separate submissions during the deliberation noted that the motion was not only timely but also expedient for immediate action to safeguard public schools in the state.
Honorable Gbenga Oyekola, representing Atiba state constituency, told newsmen shortly after the plenary that the motion is expected to be given accelerated consideration by the state government through the ministry of education for urgent action.
“The issue of insecurity is more than what we’re discussing about here in this hallowed chamber. It is good that we have a member who has brought a motion to the house for us to be aware of the need to have adequate security around our schools.
” I was raising my hand up, I wanted the house to do a surgical operation to the subject of the motion if I was given the opportunity, I would have called for urgent need for both government and parents to beef up security in our schools in Oyo state because it is good to take care of furniture, roofs and facilities but the most important thing I want to emphasize is that there can not be school without students.” Hon. Oyekola said.
While lamenting what was described as nonchalant attitude of parents who are fond of entrusting the protection of their children and wards to the care of commercial motorcyclists, the lawmaker urged parents to endeavor to do better and stop such attitude in the interest of their children’s safety.
