Knocks for Abiodun as more pictures of students writing exams on bare floor emerge

Photos of students writing examinations on bare floor in different secondary schools in Ogun State have attracted huge knocks for Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration ment.

Schools in the state on Monday began promotion examinations, but pictures of some of the students sitting on bare floor went into circulation.

Pictures of students of St. Kizito High School, Iwopin in Ogun Waterside Local Government, went viral on Facebook, with many stakeholders attacking Abiodun over the decay in the school infrastructure.

Within 24 hours, the state government stormed the school with new sets of furniture, including desks and chairs.

Responding, parents and teachers commended the government for the “prompt intervention.”

But on Wednesday, photos of another school, Imotu Community Academy, Ifoyintedo in Ipokia Local Government, surfaced on social media, where pupils sat on the floor.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu expressed concern over the development, saying the development revealed that many students in the state are learning in a terrible condition.

In statement issued on behalf of Adebutu, Afolabi Orekoya, his Media Aide, alleged that the government’s response at St. Kizito High School was a mere political gimmick.

Orekoya said, “if not that the Abiodun-led government lacks human feeling and compassion, why wait till the picture of students writing exams on the floor went viral before supplying them with benches under 24 hours. He queried further that where and why were the benches kept before now? There are many schools without teachers not to talk of infrastructure.”

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, said the government had already distributed over 14,000 furniture to over 2000 schools across the State, with a pledge that it would be a continuous exercise.

According to him, “Ogun State has over 2000 schools, and we have been distributing chairs and tables and still doing so. Addressing the issue of St. Kizito school, I can tell you we have supplied a new set of chairs and tables immediately, the school has benefitted from the first set of furniture distributed earlier this year and we will not rest until our learners study in a better and conducive environment”.