Education Commissioner directs deployment of more teachers, return of out-of-school children as government steps up intervention in affected communities
The Oyo State Government has intensified efforts to restore normal academic activities in communities affected by the recent security incident in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, disclosed this on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during a working visit to rescued learners, teachers and members of affected communities in Ahoro Dada, Oriire.
Olayiwola, who led senior officials of the ministry to the affected areas, met with students, teachers, parents, traditional rulers, security personnel and other stakeholders to assess the situation and identify measures to ensure the safe return of learners to school.
At Iseyin District Grammar School, the commissioner assessed teaching and learning activities following the resumption of the first-term academic session.
He expressed concern over the level of preparedness observed at the school and charged teachers and other staff to demonstrate greater commitment, diligence and efficiency in carrying out their responsibilities.
The delegation also visited Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, where it was discovered that the school had yet to resume for the new academic session.
The commissioner directed the Director of Basic Education to engage the Nigerian Baptist Conference on possible interventions to support the school and prevent its closure.
Olayiwola also interacted with parents and children in Yawota, where concerns were raised over children who had failed to return to school and were instead learning various skills during school hours.
He subsequently visited some of the locations where the children were undergoing skills acquisition and urged their parents to prioritise their education.
The commissioner directed relevant officials to follow up on the affected children and facilitate their return to school, warning that failure to do so could worsen the number of out-of-school children in the state.
At Esiele, Olayiwola paid a courtesy visit to the Elesinele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, who reaffirmed the traditional institution’s support for schools and teachers in the community.
The monarch disclosed that accommodation had been provided for government teachers in the area but raised concerns over the use of the community’s Primary Health Centre as accommodation by military personnel.
According to him, the situation was affecting the activities of medical personnel at the health facility, prompting an appeal for the matter to be addressed.
At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, the commissioner held discussions with students, teachers, parents, military personnel and other stakeholders on the challenges facing the institution.
Teachers identified a shortage of personnel, particularly Mathematics teachers, as one of the major challenges.
In response, Olayiwola directed the Tutor General to facilitate the posting of additional teachers to the school.
He also received an appeal from PTA teachers seeking absorption into the Teaching Service Commission, citing their continued service to the school before, during and after the security incident.
The commissioner directed the Tutor General to prepare a submission on the possible engagement of qualified indigenes of the community willing to teach for consideration by the Oyo State Government.
To address learning gaps among students, particularly newly admitted JSS1 pupils, the Tutor General was directed to provide appropriate learning support, while the Curriculum Department was tasked with assessing the availability of relevant textbooks.
Military personnel stationed in the area also raised concerns over inadequate mobility for patrol operations and requested patrol vans or motorcycles to improve security coverage.
The working visit later extended to Oyo, where the commissioner met with principals, teachers, students and two members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oyekola and Hon. Olorunpọto, at Isale Oyo Community Grammar School.
Stakeholders at the school raised concerns over alleged activities of land grabbers who were clearing portions of the school’s land.
They said the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities for necessary action.
The visit highlighted the state government’s efforts to prevent security challenges from causing a lasting disruption to education in affected communities, while strengthening cooperation among schools, parents, traditional institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders.