The Ekiti State government’s commitment to education has led to significant improvements in the sector, thanks to the World Bank-assisted Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning (AGILE).
According to the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, AGILE has successfully overhauled infrastructure in 203 public schools, leading to a 16.9% increase in enrollment in public secondary schools.
The initiative has also provided learning materials, including charts, maps, and furniture, among others. The state government has demonstrated its dedication to education by allocating $25 million to AGILE, with $21.42 million assessed and $19.92 million disbursed so far.
The projects executed under AGILE include the construction of 613 toilets, 923 classrooms, 31 school perimeter fencing, and 59 boreholes. Additionally, 2,470 teaching and learning materials and 4,012 pieces of furniture were procured.
The state government’s commitment to education is evident in its declaration of free and compulsory education at both primary and secondary school levels. This move has helped raise school enrollment in the state to one of the highest in the country.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has pledged to continue prioritizing education, recognizing its importance in acquiring knowledge and ideas.
The state government has also paid N6.2 billion as Universal Basic Education Commission counterpart funding and deployed over N400 million to offset debts owed to contractors handling projects at the State Universal Basic Education Board.