ASUSS President Applauds Oyebanji for Free Transport Service for Teachers, Students

 

…says initiative has eased burden of fuel subsidy removal, calls for more interventions

By Eunice Adesola

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Sola Adigun, has commended the Ekiti State Government for providing free transportation for teachers and students, describing the initiative as one of the administration’s significant interventions in the education sector.

Adigun made the commendation on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti while speaking on the interactive S'etigbo multicast programme anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications.

He said the provision of buses to convey teachers and students to various schools had significantly reduced the financial burden associated with transportation, particularly in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to him, the fact that the transportation service is provided free of charge has made the intervention particularly valuable to teachers and students who would otherwise have had to contend with rising transportation costs.

He noted that the initiative had provided considerable relief to education workers and students and demonstrated the government's commitment to cushioning the effects of economic challenges on the education sector.

The ASUSS President said regular transportation to schools was important not only from the perspective of workers' welfare but also in ensuring that teachers and students could get to their various schools without transportation challenges disrupting academic activities.

He therefore commended the state government for sustaining the initiative with a call to explore ways of expanding its coverage where necessary.

Adigun also commended other interventions of the Oyebanji administration in the education sector, particularly improvements in teachers' welfare, infrastructure and the regular payment of salaries.

He noted that the government had increased the amount available to workers under the car and housing loan schemes, describing the initiative as another step towards improving the welfare and living conditions of teachers.

While acknowledging these achievements, the ASUSS President called for further interventions to consolidate the gains recorded in the education sector. He particularly advocated continuous training and retraining of teachers to enhance their professional competence and equip them with contemporary teaching methods needed to meet the changing demands of education.

He also appealed to the government to sustain improvements in the payment of leave bonuses to teachers and other workers, saying enhanced welfare would further motivate teachers and contribute to improved productivity. According to him, teachers who are adequately supported and motivated are better positioned to give their best to the education of students.

Adigun described teachers as guardians and mentors who work alongside government and parents in nurturing students during school hours. He called for stronger collaboration among teachers, parents and government, stressing that raising responsible children and addressing challenges confronting the education sector should be regarded as a shared responsibility.

He urged teachers across the state to remain committed to their duties and strive to become impactful educators capable of positively influencing the lives and future of their students. He also appealed to parents to provide proper care, guidance and support for their children, while urging students to remain focused on their education, work hard to achieve their goals and shun cultism and other social vices.