By: Gafar Alabi

As Public Primary Schools across Ogun State commenced the 2024/2025 Unified Promotion Examination, the Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede, has stressed the importance of cultivating a strong reading culture among pupils. 

This came to the fore while speaking with journalists during the monitoring exercise, he noted that reading proficiency was essential for academic success, particularly in helping pupils understand and answer examination questions effectively.

"We are here to ensure that teachers are discharging their duties as expected. This is a promotion examination and its outcome determines whether a learner advances to the next class. That's why our presence here is vital," he said.

He emphasised that foundational education was key to academic excellence, urging teachers to continually improve their teaching methods for the benefit of the pupils.

The SUBEB boss also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for the recent recruitment of additional teachers into the State’s public school system, calling on both teachers and parents to complement government efforts by playing active roles in the academic development of their children.

Speaking, some of the head teachers of the visited schools, from Moshood Abiola Model Nursery and Primary School, Car Wash, Abeokuta South, Mrs. Modupe Olaniyan and St. Mary’s Nursery and Primary School, Osiele, Odeda, Mrs. Juliana Ogunbiyi expressed appreciation to the State Government for the provision of adequate examination materials, pledging continued diligence in their duties.

Other schools visited during the inspection included; Methodist Primary School 1 and 2, Ago-Oko (Abeokuta North), Baptist Primary School, Ijeun Lukosi (Obafemi Owode) and OLG Nursery and Primary School, Obantoko (Odeda), among others.