Increased Support from Communities in Kwara is helping to Improve Basic Education

Due to community contributions to schools development, schools environment are now becoming
more conducive for learning; and learning is becoming a happy experience for pupils.

In Odo-Eku, Isin Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) in Kwara state, “The traditional ruler
(Eleku) used his retirement benefits to construct a 100-capacity hostel for school children. He
believes that decent accommodation is essential for quality learning,” R. O. Adebayo, representing
the traditional ruler, reported. “We believe that education places our children in a better position to
face the future,” he added.

The Eleku of Odo-Eku and professor at University of Benin, His Royal Highness Professor Ezra
Bamgboye, invested about 4 million naira to construct a hostel and provide school uniforms in ECWA
LGEA School, Odo-Eku, Isin LGEA. He is also providing free school meals for children to encourage
pupils to stay in school.

As a member of the community contributing towards better school environment, a philanthropist,
Alhaji Kamardeen Yusuf provided landscaping for Demonstration Primary School in Iwo, Isin LGEA.
This is in support of government initiative to ensure that learning environment is conducive for
children. He also provided sets of ICT facilities for use by pupils and teachers. The SBMC of Oke-Aba is
also not lagging behind in the support to their school. According to the SBMC Chairman Chief Hassan
Ogundiran, “We make effort to provide what children need for learning because when the
environment is conducive, children are motivated to learn.

The SBMC of ECWA Demonstration School in Oko, Irepodun LGEA, also appealed to indigenes and ex-
pupils to provide teaching and learning facilities to their school. The 82-years old SBMC Chairman in
Oko, Prof S. N. Alayande observed that the community is passionate about education and he is
leading the SBMC to give back to the community through children who are in school.

The many initiatives and contributions are as a result of ESSPIN’s trainings, mentoring and monitoring
of communities to raise voices in support for schools. There are series of interventions led by
communities across the state to improve schools, upgrade standards of education and improve
quality of learning for children. As at March 2015, communities in Kwara state had contributed at
least 280 million Naira in cash and in kind for various projects in schools. “When we do our part as a
community to improve education, we are sure that we are leaving behind the best legacy for our
children”, Prof Alayande said.

Before the training on community support to schools, communities mostly abandoned
responsibilities towards schools to the government. Learning was neglected and children were the
losers. Since ESSPIN came on board to empower communities, communities have responded
positively by contributing their part and advocating for assistance from philanthropists and ex-pupils.