Ekiti begins demolition of substandard buildings in 532 schools

The Ekiti State government has begun the demolition of dilapidated and substandard structures in 532 primary schools across the state.

It explained that this would checkmate miscreants using those dilapidated buildings in the primary schools as hideouts for criminal activities.

The government also threatened to prosecute no fewer than 1,000 newly recruited primary school teachers who presented fake certificates and falsified the ages.

Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, stated this in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, while commencing the demolition exercise at Mount Mary Nursery/Primary School, Oke-Ila in Ado-Ekiti.

Akinwumi said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration initiated the exercise to pave way for the construction of new buildings in primary schools across the state.

He added that some of the structures were built in the pre-colonial era dating back to 1920, which had made them too old-fashioned for the contemporary times.

“Under this programme, all substandard blocks must be demolished. We have to checkmate all the miscreants using those dilapidated buildings in all our primary schools as hideouts, because we are aware that some people use these places as their abode.

“Presently, we are training about 761 new teachers, which was a follow up to over 2,700 teachers that had been trained in 2020. We are providing a conducive environment and enhancing the capacity of our personnel.

“As professionals, we know the importance and role good environments play in performance. It is a good variable in the performance of students in any examination,” he stated.

Akinwumi noted that with the demolition and construction of new buildings, pupils could move around and enjoy the aesthetic environment that would be provided without fear of attacks by hoodlums.

He commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for collaborating with other stakeholders to uplift basic education in Ekiti, particularly with the state government’s payment of N7.6b counterpart funding.

Akinwumi urged the new teachers undergoing induction course at Christ Girls Hall in Ado-Ekiti to exhibit professionalism and be guided by principles of teaching to give the pupils deserving education.

He stressed that whoever betrayed the civil service rules, which bordered on dedication, honesty, hard work and professionalism, would be dismissed from the service.

He also cautioned the teachers against presenting fake certificates or age falsification, insisting that those who engage in such practices would be apprehended and prosecuted.