Oyo Targets 477 Islamic Centres for BESDA

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A total of 477 Islamic centres have been identified by the Oyo State government for its first phase of the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme.

The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, disclosed that the scheme is aimed to reduce the number of out of school children in the state.

The BESDA programme is expected to commence very soon and these centres would be used to provide education to the children taken from the streets.

Speaking with coordinators of the centres in Ibadan, the educationist said the state government has already enrolled over 100,000 children, noting that more are expected to join.

He said efforts are being made to ensure that the centres absolved into the scheme are conducive for learning so as to encourage the children to attend schools.

According to the Executive Chairman, only education offers children the opportunity to confront illiteracy and bring about the desired institutional changes in the country.

He further said that for any country to develop, it must have a well-developed educational system that equips its people and prepares them with adequate knowledge.

Mr Adeniran, therefore, appealed to the coordinators of the centres to cooperate with the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure a literate society.

Speaking on behalf of other coordinators, an Islamic centre coordinator, Mr Abdul-Wahab Oluwakemi, from Akinyele Local Government, thanked the federal and state government for the kind gesture, promising their unalloyed support to the development of education in the state.