Enoch OYEDIBU
The Oyo state government has extended the third term of the ongoing academic session (2020/2021) by a week for teachers and pupils in the primary school axis.
This is contained in a circular letter issued by the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Department of Schools) titled, “Extension of third term 2020/2021 academic session by one week for public primary schools in Oyo state,” and signed by the permanent secretary, Mrs. A.B. Atere.
It explained this was in response to a request made by SUBEB that the term should be extended by one week due “to the need to allow more time to end the term smoothly.”
It gives a new date for the commencement of holiday as Friday, August 6, 2021.
Upon investigation meanwhile, ogbomosoinsightonline.com found out that the extension of the session in the primary schools was not unconnected with the need to conduct the promotion examination for the pupils.
“The examination for the pupils had not been held because of paucity of funds in the primary schools leading to the inability of the schools to produce questions for conduct of the promotion exams. Grants were not released and so schools were financially constrained to start the exam as at when due,” a source said.
It was also found out that report cards would not be given to students in the secondary school axis as government which used to supply the report cards is yet to do so.
“I can tell you categorically that throughout this session students in public secondary schools in Oyo state have not collected report cards, this is because the cards are not supplied to schools by the government,” sources said.
Continuing the source stated, “In the past, that is before the present administration came on board, students would pay for the cards, which would be remitted to the state government purse and cards would be procured on behalf of the schools.
“But since the administration cancelled payment of any form in fees cards are not being supplied. If students go home with any form of assessment results when school closes for the session this Friday, it would be through impoverished arrangement made by schools perhaps photocopied sheets. Backlog of grants is owed schools.”
