…. support 2,808 indigent students with conditional cash transfer.

The Ekiti State Government has renovated over 1000 dilapidated classrooms and constructed over 30 new ones in public secondary schools in the State under the World Bank Assisted Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme .

The AGILE project coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua made this known in Ado-Ekiti while featuring on Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today a Live audience participation programme on radio

She disclosed that 59 boreholes have also been sunk in schools under the programme while 613 toilets and 31 perimeter fences have been constructed in public secondary schools in the State under the AGILE Programme

The Project Cordinator noted that the programme has also significantly improved digital facilities in the 203 public secondary schools in the State with the provision of 60 smart boards, 2,600 laptops, 75 photocopiers, 139 solar inverter systems, and 76 printers while internet facilities have been set-up in the schools as part of efforts to boost the teaching provision .

She disclosed that under the Educational Support component of the programme, 2,808 indigent students spread across the 16 LGAs of the State have received conditional cash transfers ranging from N20,000 to N25,000 this academic session.

According to Adesua, under the conditional cash transfer programme, indigent JSS and SS students who received N20,000 and N25,000 must record at least 70% attendance in school for them to qualify for the second year of the programme.

‘‘The AGILE initiative has reached all 203 public secondary schools in Ekiti State, benefiting over 2,808 students through conditional cash transfers for indigent students. This support aligns with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s policy to strengthen the economic power of Ekiti State by aiding disadvantaged students”, the AGILE Boss noted

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She said in line with guidelines of the AGILE programmes renovation and construction in 203 schools were handled by the School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) of the school as part of efforts to promote community ownership of the projects.

While emphasizing on the project, Mrs Adesua stressed the crucial role of the School Based Management Committee (SMBC), stating they have facilitated the effective use of small, large, massive and second large grants disbursed to schools in addressing their specific needs so as to enhance the quality of education in all the 203 public Secondary schools in Ekiti state.

‘‘The AGILE initiative has reached all 203 public secondary schools in Ekiti State, benefiting over 2,808 students through conditional cash transfers for indigent students. This support aligns with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s policy to strengthen the economic power of Ekiti State by aiding disadvantaged students.”

The coordinator announced the upcoming launch of the second-chance educational component of the scheme, named Ekiti State Finishing Schools, set to commence in the next academic session, adding that the program is designed for students who have been unable to complete their education, due to various reasons including Gender Based Violence, poverty, teenage pregnancy, early marriage and other socio cultural reasons stressing that the programme is designed to provide beneficiaries a new window of opportunity to complete their studies.

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