Ondo promises free boat service to pupils

Ondo State Government says it has concluded arrangement to offer free boat service to pupils in riverine communities in the state.

The state Commissioner for Education, Mr Jide Adejuyigbe, stated this while receiving officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Education in his office.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, led the delegation.

Adejuyigbe said the free boat initiative, particularly at Ilaje and Ese Odo local government areas, was to replicate the free shuttle bus gesture already in place other councils in the state.

He said, “Our goal is to provide qualitative education for our pupils and the government is doing everything possible to achieve this. We are making sure that our schools have facilities that would be conducive for learning. That is why our pupils are performing well in both internal and external examinations.

“The government has built 51 mega schools, just as it has provided 90 free shuttle buses for the pupils. It has also concluded plan to provide speed boats for pupils in riverine communities where there are no roads, to take them back and forth schools.

“The idea is to increase punctuality rate and check pupils’ drop-out level in the state. Again, education is free; now parents have no excuse not to send their children to school. We have deployed about 850 local government employees in schools to teach. This administration believes in qualitative education.”

Omenugha commended Ondo State for its achievements so far in the sector, especially at the primary education level.