Africa
The Perils of Imọlẹ Youth Corp Deployment in Osun Schools -By John Oyebanji
The Osun State Government has failed in this regard. It has recklessly imposed an additional burden on a system that cannot afford further deterioration. We must ask ourselves: Who has bewitched Osun State? Why are we playing politics with the future of our children? If urgent measures are not taken, we may be sowing seeds of intellectual and professional mediocrity that will haunt us for generations.
I have been deeply reflecting on the directive from the Osun State Ministry of Youths, mandating the recruits of the Imọlẹ Youth Corp to report at their various Places of Primary Assignment (PPA). While I choose not to question the credibility of the recruitment process, its overt politicization, or its blatant violation of the National Youth Policy, I am particularly concerned about those deployed to our schools across the state.
The education sector is not just another department where untested, unqualified, and inexperienced individuals can be randomly placed. It is a critical foundation of any progressive society, requiring expertise, competence, and a firm grasp of subject areas. Yet, we now find ourselves in a precarious situation where individuals, whose qualifications and teaching abilities remain questionable, have been inserted into our schools without any standardized assessment.
What criteria were used to select and deploy these individuals as teachers? Were they trained educators with the requisite qualifications and pedagogical skills? If so, where is the evidence of their certification and competence? If not, what justification does the government have for endangering the already fragile state of education in Osun?
Our educational system, already grappling with numerous challenges, is now further threatened by a scheme that appears to prioritize political interests over academic integrity. These individuals, some of whom may struggle to teach themselves, are now entrusted with shaping the future of our children. This is not just a misstep; it is a deliberate assault on the quality of education in Osun State.
The Osun State Government has failed in this regard. It has recklessly imposed an additional burden on a system that cannot afford further deterioration. We must ask ourselves: Who has bewitched Osun State? Why are we playing politics with the future of our children? If urgent measures are not taken, we may be sowing seeds of intellectual and professional mediocrity that will haunt us for generations.
John Oyebanji is a Public Affairs Analyst, Media/PR Specialist, Educational Administrator, and Clergy, among many other things he represents. He writes from Modakeke, Osun State, and can be reached via thejohnoyebanji@gmail.com
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