The Kwara State Government has concluded arrangements to renovate a total number of 898 public junior and senior schools across the state with a view to creating conducive environment for learning and teaching in the state.

The Project Coordinator of the Kwara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, Mr. Adeshina Salami, disclosed this during the monitoring of the ongoing state-wide five-Day training of over 5,000 School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), at the College of Education, Ilorin, the state capital.

He explained that the SBMC members are to oversee the renovations of the schools.

Salami further emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education, pointing out that the training, under the ‘1.2 renovation sub-component’ of the project, focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the SBMCs and the development of Schools Improvement Plan (SIP), in a bid to ensure that all schools are made conducive for learning.

He appreciated Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for facilitating the project to Kwara State, noting that, “this is a move targeted at fostering conducive and safe learning spaces for boys and girls, especially adolescent girls.”

He added that the project was facilitated to also increase enrollment and retention of adolescent girls so as to be able to successfully complete, at least, their secondary education.

“The Project Implementation Manual (PIM) clearly states that SBMCs of each school will handle the renovations. Right now, they are being trained on their duties, the development of School Improvement Plan (SIP), needs assessment and project management, in order to build their capacity and enhance efficient service delivery.

“The SBMCs are an essential link between schools and the communities they serve and they are made up of a range of community stakeholders and people involved with each school. We had earlier gone out for the validation of the SBMC to ensure the right people were chosen, as stated in the PIM,” he enthused.

He revealed that the SBMC training is holding concurrently across the three senatorial districts of the state, capturing 6 SBMC members, each from 898 schools, consisting of the Chairman SBMC, Secretary (Principal), female treasurer, a representative of teachers, and two artisans who have knowledge on building and construction

Also speaking, the 1.2. Renovation Lead of Kwara AGILE, Aminat Shehu, noted that the sub-component deals with the provision of Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) facilities and classroom renovation.

“We want the SBMCs to take ownership of the project, that is why they are involved in the School Improvement Plan (SIP). They will be trained on it so they can make judicious use of the funds allocated to each of the schools.

“This training will equip SBMC members with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively monitor school renovations, ensuring quality, transparency and community ownership of the whole process,” she explained.

In his remarks, the Consultant handling the Renovation sub-component 1.2 of the project who doubles as the Managing Partner, Alim and Associates, Engr. Muhyideen Alimi Yusuf, noted that “this training is an avenue for the SBMCs to raise their concerns and to have a better understanding of their duties in ensuring a successful project implementation.”

One of the participants who spoke with journalists, appreciated the Governor for the stride in the education sector, pledging to diligently fulfill their responsibilities to ensure that every school receives the maximum benefits from the community-based AGILE project.