By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly has restated its commitment towards enhancing the education, science and technology sector in the State.

The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Kolawole Ologede gave the assurance when he led other members on familiarisation tour of the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Teaching Service Commission, Board for Adult, Technical and Vocational Education, Scholarship Board, Information Technology Agency, Universal Basic Education Board, and State library board, all in Akure.

According to him, the committee was on the visit to ensure they have first hand information and synergy, saying that proper understanding of supervisory committees on MDA”s is sacrosanct.

While describing education as one of the bedrock of any nation’s development, the lawmakers called for all hands to continue to be on deck to achieve the set goal.

The lawmakers called for concerted efforts in taking children off the street to reduce the level of illiteracy and equally engaged students in extra curricular activities in order to curb social vices.

Members who commended the achievement recorded so far, encouraged them to put in more efforts to achieve more successes in the sector.

They assured of legislative support in fast-tracking development in achieving the set goal.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Femi Agagu commended the House of Assembly for its commitment and support, adding that the visit will again add value to the sector.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Folasade Adegoke who reeled out the achievement and challenges of the Ministry, informed that the Ministry formulate, supervise and control policy in the sector, while parastatals under it are autonomous and meet with them on quarterly basis to know how they are faring.

He stated that the ministry has nine departments,18 field offices where five are zonal and 13 area offices, adding that the ministry have 882 staff strength across the state.

The Commissioner informed that the State government through the ministry has been paying for WAEC fees of public secondary schools students, while students who participated in national competitions have been winning laurels.

He pointed out that the ministry ensure procurement and distribution of textbooks and instructional materials to 308 public secondary schools in the state and awarded the procurement and distribution of science equipment and mathematics training tits to 20 selected public secondary schools in this year 2023.

The Commissioner however sought for the support of the lawmakers in terms of assessment of funds for serious and urgent work and speedy passage when the proposed Ondo State Senior Education Board bill get to the Assembly.

Other Agencies visited equally intimated the committee on their activities, achievement and challenges, assuring of cordial relationship with the committee, sought for the support of the Assembly and believed that the visit will fast-track development in the sector.