The Oyo State Government says it has resolved all teething challenges impeding the smooth implementation of Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in the state.
Dr Nureni Adeniran, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (Oyo SUBEB), made this known on Friday in Ibadan.
Adeniran spoke at a meeting with the BESDA Implementation Committee in Ibadan.
He said the state was set to commence BESDA fully, as all hurdles militating against the full implementation had been cleared by the state government.
Adediran said: “The Oyo State Government’s determined efforts to ensure reduction in the rate of out-of-school children in the state brought the dream to fruition.
“The project, which is an initiative of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), is aimed at complementing the immense efforts of Gov. Seyi Makinde-led administration to address the menace of out-of-school children.”
He commended the present administration in the state for investing more than 21 per cent of the state’s annual budget in the education sector.
The chairman added that this had ensured effective teaching and learning in schools, particularly at the foundation level which was key to societal development.
Adediran pledging, on behalf of BESDA Implementation Committee, to comply with the Action Plan of the project, acknowledged the huge support received from UBEC management team in ensuring release of the sum.
He, therefore, urged members of the implementation team to commit themselves to the programme.
The chairman said that there were no excuses for any member of the committee not to be committed to the UBEC/World Bank Assisted project.
Speaking at the meeting, the BESDA Consultant in Oyo State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, said she would deploy her wealth of experience in the implementation of the programme in the state.
In their separate remarks, Mrs Aderonke Adedayo, the Special Adviser on Intervention Funds and State Portfolio Coordinator, World Bank Projects, and the Senior Special Assistant on BESDA, Mr Sunday Adeyanju, pledged their supports to full implementation of the programme.
They pledged their commitment to reduce the rate of out-of-school children in the state, declaring that improving the standard of education was part of the priorities of the present administration.