Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has successfully increased the staff strength in the state’s secondary schools from 13,730 in 2019 to an impressive 26,436 over the past six years in office. This significant enhancement in human resources was highlighted by the state’s Chairperson of the Post Primary Schools’ Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, during the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Briefing held recently at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the state government has recruited a total of 10,500 teaching and non-teaching staff during Governor Makinde’s second term alone. Oladipo noted that the commission had also achieved the establishment of additional Educational Zones aimed at improving school administration. The number of Educational Zones has risen from six to ten, which now include Ibadan Zone I, II, III, IV, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Kishi, Saki, Eruwa, and Iseyin
.In her remarks, Oladipo stated, “Four Educational Zones were created by His Excellency for ease of School Administration, making significant strides in enhancing governance in education.” She also announced the creation of a new Directorate of Pension and Post Services intended to streamline benefits for retired TESCOM staff.
The commission has carried out promotion exercises for eligible officers covering the period from 2017 to 2024. Additionally, planned recruitment efforts for 2024 and early 2025 include hiring 7,500 teaching staff and 3,000 non-teaching staff, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving students’ academic performance in examinations. This initiative is expected to not only bolster educational standards but also provide employment opportunities, thereby positively impacting the living standards of the newly employed personnel.
Mrs. Oladipo further elaborated on the government’s ongoing support for public secondary schools, noting that the administration has consistently provided Running Grants to the 695 public secondary schools to facilitate smoother school operations. Moreover, she revealed that the commission has been facilitating vehicle loans for interested staff across its ten zonal offices, and has introduced an e-payment system designed to simplify the loan disbursement process, reducing the need for staff to travel to the headquarters to receive checks.
Overall, these developments underscore Governor Makinde’s administration’s commitment to revitalizing the educational landscape in Oyo State and enhancing the quality of education offered to students.
