The Oyo State Government has directed teachers to fast-track academic activities to recover learning time lost during the recent one-month industrial action, warning that the disruption could affect students preparing for external examinations.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Olayiwola, gave the directive on Thursday in Ibadan during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by leaders of teachers’ unions, education administrators and government officials following the suspension of the strike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on the strike after the abduction of teachers and pupils in schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The union suspended the industrial action on Wednesday and directed public schools to reopen on Thursday.
Olayiwola said the month-long disruption must be addressed urgently to prevent its impact on students preparing for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.
“We have lost about one month of academic work, and we must do everything possible to recover that time.
“We cannot afford to allow our pupils and students to suffer the consequences of the disruption.
“The responsibility now rests on teachers, principals, head teachers and education managers to bring the disrupted academic calendar back on track,” he said.
The commissioner warned that failure to implement effective recovery measures could adversely affect candidates sitting for external examinations.
“One of the implications of losing one month of learning is that it could reflect in the performance of our students in WAEC and NECO.
“That is why we must accelerate teaching and ensure that the syllabus is adequately covered,” he added.
Olayiwola disclosed that education inspectors would begin regular monitoring visits to schools across the state to assess compliance with the recovery plan and evaluate the pace of academic progress.
According to him, the exercise will help identify schools requiring additional intervention and ensure that classroom teaching resumes effectively.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices made by teachers, particularly those whose holiday coaching programmes had been disrupted by the strike.
“We are conscious of the sacrifices our teachers are making. Some of them usually utilise the holidays for vacation classes, but the disruption has altered the academic calendar.
“We appreciate their understanding and appeal for greater commitment in helping our children recover the lost ground,” he said.
The commissioner commended the leadership of the NUT and other education unions for suspending the strike and embracing dialogue with the state government.
He urged school administrators to work closely with teachers in implementing strategies to recover the lost academic period without compromising the quality of teaching.
Olayiwola also reaffirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to improving education through sustained investment in infrastructure, teachers’ welfare and school development programmes.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamarudeen Aderibigbe, urged teachers to regard the recovery of the lost academic period as a shared responsibility.
He noted that Oyo State operates the same curriculum as other states and cautioned against allowing pupils in the state to fall behind their counterparts because of the disruption.
“We have lost valuable academic time, and we must find practical ways to recover it.
“Oyo State has always maintained its position as a pacesetter in education, and we must work together to sustain that reputation,” he said.
The Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State, Mr Olukayode Salami, appealed to the Ministry of Education to release a revised academic calendar to guide schools in recovering the lost period and adequately preparing candidates for public examinations.
