SCHOOL O’ CLOCK CAMPAIGN: EDO STATE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION VISITS SCHOOLS UPON RESUMPTION OF FIRST TERM.
In view of most publicised resumption date of Secondary and basic schools on the 12th September, 2022 across Edo state, the Commissioner of Education has put up a team to ensure compliance.
In preparation for the effective monitoring, Buses have been branded with “School O’clock” inscription to inform the General public that in all public schools across Edo state, Students are to resume school at 7:45am and close at 2:45pm.
The Commissioner of Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe in company of some staff of the Ministry of Education, Government functionaries and the media team visited some schools, on the 12th of September, 2022 as Basic and Secondary schools across the state resumes for a new academic term. In some of the schools visited, the Commissioner expressed happiness at the impressive turn out of students, teachers and school heads.
While addressing the teachers and students, she was quick to inform them that the essence of the visit was to ensure they get acquainted with the “School O”clock” campaign.
The Commissioner reiterated that basic Education in Edo state is free and compulsory, and therefore warned that no child should be found loitering during school hours. She said that any child found outside the school, selling or hawking will be arrested and prosecuted and their parents held accountable. She announced that the “School O’clock” campaign will continue from now till December 2022.
The School O’clock campaign enters day two and three to bring awareness to every household in Benin City.
With the directive of the Executive Governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to arrest and prosecute children who failed to resume school, many children of school age were caught on the 13th September, 2022.
The monitoring teams who went out to ensure compliance were virtually seen in almost all the corners of the Benin metropolis, creating awareness in every wards that Governor Godwin Obaseki is passionately committed to educating every Edo child.
Reports from the outing indicates that many children were willing to resume school without delay, as government is irrevocably committed to providing basic school needs for every child.
At the end of the second day field work, a total number of
84 children of school age were arrested. They were however released to their parents and guardians with a promise never to remain out of school.
A cross section of the public were appreciative of government efforts to provide free Basic education.
Security personnel from the police, Civil defense Corpse and the Public volunteer work force (PUVWOF) including costabulary were on ground to provide safety and adherence.
