World Bank applauds Ekiti on implementation of SEPIP

The World Bank has given Ekiti State a pass mark on its implementation of the State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP) being sponsored by the global financial institution.

Speaking during a 2-day inspection visit to the State, the task team leader (TTL) of the Project Implementation Support Mission of the World Bank, Dr. Tunde Adekola said that the State had achieved almost all the ‘Disbursement Linked Indicators’ (DLIs) such as teachers deployment in rural areas and deployment of teachers of core subjects like English language, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry and basic science as well as assessment of students’ achievements and Schools Based Management Committees (SBMC).

Disclosing that two other States involved in the SEPIP programme have been directed to understudy the impressive implementation of the World Bank sponsored programme in Ekiti, Adekola added that the State has become a model to be emulated by other States.

He however stressed the need for all stakeholders to support the efforts at boosting the standard of education in the State, emphasizing that philanthropists as well as other well to do individuals and corporate organizations must contribute their quota towards achieving the goals of rapid development of the state.

He also emphasized the importance of the roles of Parents/Teachers Associations (PTA) and the School Based Management Committees saying that the impact of genuine collaborative efforts of stakeholders would be tremendous.

In his remarks, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Jide Egunjobi said 897 public primary schools, 197 public secondary schools and five Government Technical Colleges across the State benefitted from the World Bank sponsored from the World Bank sponsored Schools Improvement grants.

According to Egunjobi, each of the primary schools got N215,000.00 while secondary schools received N700,000.00 each which he said surpassed the target for 2016.

The Commissioner said that the Governor Ayo Fayose led administration would continue to partner with willing individuals, corporate organizations and multinationals in the task of improving the lot of the people and the education sector.

Egunjobi noted that the existing partnership was already yielding needed dividends as both teachers and students are now better motivated, adding that the State Government recently procured a vehicle-baking oven for the Vehicle Body Building department of the Government Technical College, Ado Ekiti in support of the SEPIP programme to equip the centre for modern technology in vehicle painting and finishing.