Petrol station, shops take over Oyo public schools

The Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday resolved to set up a committee under the leadership of Peter Oyetunji, to look into the issue of land speculators who have virtually taken over some public schools in the state.
The committee would look into the activities of encroachers including land speculators, petrol dealers as well as those using kiosks and containers to trade.
The recommendations of the committee are to be forwarded to the state governor, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, the Assembly resolved.
The House had earlier summoned various stakeholders in the education sector in the state to address the plenary on how to make public primary and secondary schools in the state more conducive for learning.
Those invited included the permanent secretary in charge of School Administration, Mrs Olaitan Adeola, her colleague in charge of Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr.Busari Jelili as well as that of Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mr.Wasiu Amoo and that of Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), Mr.Yinka Osuntogun.
From the submissions made by the stakeholders, the lawmakers were unanimous on the need for urgent steps by the state government to rescue public schools.
African Church Primary School at Saki in the Saki West Local Government area of the state, for instance, according to the stakeholders, has within its premises, a functioning fuel station, a mosque as well as various kiosks and stalls where people trade.
In the same vein, the House was told that Methodist Primary school at Bodija in Ibadan established in 1955, is presently sandwiched among various stalls and shops.
The House further heard that residential houses and kiosks now jostle for space with Islamic Mission School, Bode and C.A.C Primary School, Oje-Igosun, also in Ibadan.
The stakeholders, in their various recommendations, suggested among others, outright demolition of all illegal structures within the premises of public schools, proper demarcation of school boundaries and fencing of the institutions.