203 Ekiti schools benefit from $25m World Bank grant

203 public schools in Ekiti State have benefitted from the $25 million School Improvement Grant (SIG) released by the World Bank to uplift the standard of education in the state.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information in Ekiti, Taiwo Olatunbosun, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Olatunbosun said the World Bank grant is being used to construct new buildings, renovate old ones, and erect perimeter fencing

He said the fund is also being used to purchase equipment for the benefit of all students in the schools, including People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs).

The commissioner said: “There is the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills Project, which is also back by the World Bank to enhance the capacity of the skills development system in order to produce relevant skills for the formal and informal sectors without leaving out PLWDs.

Ekiti govt pays N546m WAEC fees

“In fact, there is no public school in the state that has not been substantially touched by government’s developmental efforts without bias to the enrollment of PLWDs.

“Government also paid N546.9 million WAEC/SSCE fees for 16,269 SS3 students in public schools for this year making all SS3 students in public schools beneficiaries, including people living with disabilities.”

Olatunbosun reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration to the welfare of PLWDs in the state.

He urged interested individuals and corporate organisations not to fan embers of hatred and strife between the government and the people of the state.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to support the efforts of the Ekiti State Government in its bid to make life more meaningful for all stakeholders in the state, particularly the PLWDs.

Olatunbosun added that apart from the existence of the three Government Special Schools specifically established to cater for the education of PLWDs, education is free, compulsory, and qualitative from primary to Senior Secondary Schools in Ekiti State.

The Star