The Ondo State Government has intensified efforts to reposition the education sector through an extensive stakeholders’ engagement on the implementation of the Federal Government-backed HOPE-EDU Programme across the state.

The sensitisation exercise, which was successfully conducted across the three senatorial districts of the state, brought together education administrators, school proprietors, teachers, development partners and other critical stakeholders to deepen awareness and ensure smooth implementation of the initiative.

The programme focused on enlightening participants about the objectives, operational framework and long-term benefits of the HOPE-EDU initiative aimed at improving educational standards and strengthening data management within the sector.

Speaking during the exercise, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, described the engagement as a crucial step toward achieving a reliable and comprehensive educational database in Nigeria.

According to him, accurate data collection remains essential for effective planning, monitoring and policy implementation in the education sector.

Ajibefun explained that participation in the HOPE-EDU Programme had become mandatory for all public and private schools across the state, stressing that every learner must be properly captured and documented in the data system.

He noted that the initiative was designed to create an authentic database that would support educational development, proper allocation of resources and improved decision-making in the sector.

The commissioner further explained that the programme was introduced by the Federal Government to strengthen the educational system through transparency, accountability and efficient management of learners’ records.

He added that proper data management would also enable government identify critical areas of need and address challenges confronting schools and learners across the country.

Ajibefun therefore urged school administrators and stakeholders to cooperate fully with officials handling the implementation process in order to ensure the success of the programme in Ondo State.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, described the sensitisation exercise as timely and beneficial to the education sector.

She said the programme would help government adequately plan for the future of learners and ensure that no child was denied access to quality basic education.

Bayo-Ilawole urged stakeholders to view the initiative as a collective responsibility toward educational advancement, while commending school proprietors, teachers and education officers for their impressive participation across the three senatorial districts.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the State Universal Basic Education Board to supporting policies and programmes aimed at improving teaching and learning outcomes in schools.

The permanent secretary also appealed to stakeholders to sustain the momentum generated by the sensitisation programme through continuous collaboration and strict compliance with laid down guidelines.

In their separate remarks, school proprietors and other stakeholders expressed readiness to cooperate with the government in ensuring the successful implementation of the HOPE-EDU Programme.

They assured government officials of their commitment to ensuring that all learners in their schools were properly captured and documented in the database.

The HOPE-EDU Programme is a strategic Federal Government initiative designed to improve the quality of education through effective data management, improved school administration, enhanced teacher development and increased support for learners across the country.

The initiative is also aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and promoting equal educational opportunities for both privileged and underprivileged learners nationwide.