The Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo has taken note of recent investigative reports and public outcry concerning the state of public education in Edo State, particularly the shocking revelations about the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) program initiated by the previous administration.
The government acknowledges the deep rot and systemic failure that have plagued Edo’s educational sector, despite the billions of naira supposedly invested under the EdoBEST initiative. These revelations expose a stark reality—one where propaganda and political grandstanding were prioritized over the fundamental rights of Edo children to quality education.
Upon assuming office, Governor Okpebholo directed a comprehensive assessment of public schools across the three senatorial districts. The findings confirm the observations raised by concerned stakeholders:
1. Acute Teacher Shortage: Over 90% of public schools lack the required number of teachers, with many secondary schools left with as few as two teachers to cover multiple subjects. This has severely compromised the quality of learning in Edo State.
2. Dilapidated Infrastructure: Schools across the state suffer from lack of chairs, desks, and classrooms, with pupils forced to sit on bare floors or concrete blocks. Teachers are left without functional staff rooms, often taking shelter under trees.
3. Severe Overcrowding: Due to inadequate classroom blocks, students are crammed into overcrowded classes, with many sitting on windowsills or lying on the floor to receive lessons. Some schools operate with just three classrooms for the entire school population.
4. Rampant Insecurity: Public schools lack perimeter fences and security personnel, leaving students and teachers exposed to criminal attacks. The case of Migrant Primary School, Ago-Udo, Igueben, where pupils remain at risk of attacks from criminal herders, is just one of many instances where government neglect has endangered young learners.
5. Vandalism and Encroachment: Many school premises have become havens for hoodlums, leading to increased cases of theft, destruction of property, and even life-threatening incidents, such as the discovery of a corpse at Umagbae Grammar School, Idokpa, Uhunmwonde LGA.
6. Abandoned Projects and Misappropriated Funds: Multiple school-building projects remain abandoned, despite the ₦12.9 billion reportedly spent on EdoBEST in 2021 and the $75 million World Bank funding approved in 2020. The question on every Edo citizen’s lips is: Where did all the money go?
Governor Monday Okpebholo has zero tolerance for deceit and mismanagement, and his administration is committed to restoring Edo’s educational system to its rightful place of excellence. To this end, the government is rolling out a comprehensive education reform plan that will address the failures of the past administration and deliver tangible improvements for students, teachers, and communities.
1. IMMEDIATE TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND REGULARIZATION
The state government has launched an emergency teacher recruitment drive to fill critical vacancies across public schools.
The administration will consider regularizing the employment of qualified Edostar teachers who were abandoned by the previous government.
2. INFRASTRUCTURAL RENEWAL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The government will embark on a phased renovation of public schools, ensuring that classrooms, staff rooms, and learning facilities meet acceptable standards.
Special attention will be given to schools in rural areas, where infrastructural decay is most severe.
3. DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY PERSONNEL TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
In partnership with the Edo State Security Network, the government will deploy trained security personnel to schools across the state to prevent vandalism, encroachment, and criminal attacks.
Perimeter fencing will be prioritized, with a security framework designed to protect students and teachers.
4. TRANSPARENT REVIEW AND AUDIT OF EDOBEST FUNDS
Governor Okpebholo has ordered a full-scale forensic audit of the funds allocated to the EdoBEST program under the last administration.
The government will work with anti-corruption agencies to ensure that any officials found guilty of financial misappropriation are brought to justice.
5. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EDUCATION SUBVENTIONS
The administration will explore community-government collaborations to improve public school funding and consider subventions for schools in dire need of support.
A new accountability system will be put in place to ensure that every kobo allocated to education translates into visible impact in schools.
Governor Monday Okpebholo recognizes education as the bedrock of societal progress and remains fully committed to providing quality education for every child in Edo State. The failures of the past administration will not deter the present government from ensuring a better future for Edo students.
This administration assures the people of Edo State that the era of deceit, mismanagement, and propaganda is over. Moving forward, education in Edo will be based on real impact, not empty promises.
We call on parents, teachers, students, and all stakeholders to join hands with the government in this renewed effort to rebuild Edo’s educational system and secure the future of our children.
