SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, HONOURABLE OLUSEGUN OLAYIWOLA AT THE PRE-SCHOOL RESUMPTION MEETING WITH PRINCIPALS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS HELD ON THURSDAY, 11TH SEPTEMBER, 2025, AT LAGELU GRAMMAR SCHOOL, AGUGU, IBADAN
PROTOCOLS
It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today as we prepare for another academic year—one filled with promise, potential, and the transformative power of education.
First and foremost, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering commitment to shaping the minds of our youth and upholding the standards of education in Oyo State. Your passion for education and your dedication to the well-being of our students are deeply commendable. It is this sense of purpose that turns challenges into opportunities, ensuring that every child receives not just formal instruction, but the support and guidance necessary to thrive in our ever-evolving world.
As we look ahead to the resumption of schools, this meeting serves as a timely reminder of the written and unwritten responsibilities that bind us. The foundation we lay here today will not only influence our students’ academic paths, but also help in moulding responsible citizens—individuals who will contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development we so earnestly desire.
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT
Dear esteemed principals, the delivery of qualitative education is a shared responsibility—one that involves teachers, parents, school administrators, and indeed the broader community. As we embark on this new school year, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to excellence, accountability, and innovation in our public schools.
ILLEGAL COLLECTION OF LEVIES
No student should be hindered by financial barriers in their pursuit of education. I must emphasize that no principal should engage in unauthorized levies. All forms of illegal collections are strictly prohibited. Let us uphold transparency and ensure that education remains accessible and free from unnecessary financial burdens.
TEACHING COMMITMENT & MONITORING
Staff attendance and punctuality must be taken seriously. Being physically present in school is not the same as being actively engaged. A teacher who logs in but fails to teach their classes is, for all intents and purposes, absent.
I therefore charge you to set up effective monitoring systems for classroom activities between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. These hours are vital for academic engagement, and we must ensure they are used productively.
SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY
As we strive for academic excellence, student safety and security must remain a top priority. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable during their formative years. Our schools must serve as safe spaces, free from violence, bullying, and any form of intimidation.
MAINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
Our schools reflect our values. Proper maintenance of school infrastructure is non-negotiable. Every classroom, laboratory, library, piece of furniture, textbook, and official record must be properly cared for. Timely repairs can prevent deterioration and costly replacements. A broken chair fixed today will not be condemned tomorrow.
STUDENT LOITERING
Student loitering during school hours is a growing concern. It not only affects their academic performance but also puts their safety at risk. As educators and community leaders, we must tackle this issue by emphasizing the importance of class attendance, organizing extracurricular activities, and fostering an environment that keeps students meaningfully engaged.
DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS
The foundation of a functional learning environment is discipline. It establishes behavioral expectations and reinforces a culture of accountability and mutual respect. I encourage you to engage students and teachers alike in upholding discipline. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.
BAN ON STUDENT MOBILE PHONES
The use of mobile phones by students in public schools remains strictly prohibited. These devices pose significant distractions and facilitate access to non-educational content, potentially leading to cyberbullying and other misconduct. I trust you will enforce this policy strictly and without exceptions.
APPROVED TEXTBOOKS ONLY
All principals must ensure that only government-approved textbooks are recommended for use. These materials have been carefully selected for their quality, reusability, and alignment with our curriculum. Compliance will be closely monitored, and quality assurance officers are hereby directed to include “Textbooks in Use” in their inspection checklists.
NO MEETINGS DURING INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS
All meetings involving staff or associations must be held after instructional hours, ideally from 1:30 PM onward. Meetings held during teaching hours disrupt learning and should be avoided. Let us prioritize our students’ right to uninterrupted education.
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE
Let me restate the government’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice. Integrity in both internal and external examinations is non-negotiable. Acts of malpractice during registration, conduct, grading, or promotion will not be condoned.
The prompt payment of salaries by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration is part of the broader goal of fostering a transparent and professional work culture. Any confirmed case of staff aiding or abetting malpractice will be decisively dealt with. Principals must lead this crusade by example.
PROTECTING SCHOOL LAND & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
In our rapidly urbanizing communities, school land is under threat of encroachment. One sustainable way to protect school boundaries is through tree planting. Trees serve as natural fences and contribute to environmental conservation. I urge you to partner with local communities, environmental groups, parents, and old students’ associations to initiate tree-planting campaigns in your schools.
BAN ON SIGN-OUT CELEBRATIONS
The so-called “signing out” celebrations by final-year students have devolved into displays of indecency and misconduct. These activities are now officially banned in all public and private schools in Oyo State. This decision follows numerous reports of harassment, violence, and public disturbance associated with such events.
ALSO READ:
2027 Presidential Ticket to the South: Perfect Grace for Governor Seyi Makinde
SOT 2027: Olaleye Olusegun Thomas Ready to Lead Afijio with Grassroots-Driven Integrity
You Have Body Odour, Your Mouth Smells – Senator Ekwunife Replies Governor Soludo (Video)
NEW CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT MODEL
We are revising our continuous assessment system to ensure a more comprehensive and holistic evaluation of student performance. Below is the new breakdown for the 60 marks allocated for continuous assessment:
Attendance – 10 marks
Notebooks – 10 marks
Participation in Open Days – 10 marks
Textbooks – 10 marks
School-Based Tests – 10 marks
Teacher-Based Assessments – 10 marks
Total: 60 marks
(Divided by 2 to yield the final 30 CA marks.)
This broader approach discourages truancy, encourages greater parental involvement, and provides a more accurate reflection of students’ commitment and academic growth.
CONCLUSION
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed principals, let us reflect on the noble calling we have embraced—to be the architects of knowledge and mentors of future leaders. Our mission is clear: to inspire, to guide, and to uplift.
Let us approach this new academic year with renewed determination, abiding by the policies and values outlined today. Together, we can build a school system that is disciplined, innovative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our students and society.
Thank you for your commitment, and I wish you all a productive and successful 2025/2026 academic session.
Thank you.
