The Old Students’ Association of Uso Grammar School, Uso, has commenced activities marking the 50th anniversary of the institution with a call for urgent reforms to save Nigeria’s collapsing education sector.
Speaking at a press conference heralding the Golden Jubilee celebration, the National Coordinator of the Association, Mr. Ola-Olu Ayodele (FCA), said the theme of the anniversary, “Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Inspiring the Future,” reflects the need to appreciate the sacrifices of the school’s founding fathers and renew commitment to rebuilding the sector for future generations.
Ayodele noted that the early leaders who laid the foundation for education in the community invested time, energy and personal resources, stressing that the anniversary creates an opportunity to honour them while encouraging young Nigerians to embrace learning as a pathway to a better future.
He lamented the steady decline in the quality of education across the country, attributing the challenges to all stakeholders—government, parents, students and the wider society.
According to him, poor funding, policy inconsistencies, inadequate supervision, outdated curriculum, teacher shortages, decaying infrastructure, indiscipline, and the near-collapse of institutions that once produced middle-level manpower have collectively weakened the system.
He cited the UNESCO-recommended allocation of 15–20% of government budget to education, observing that many states fall far below the benchmark, resulting in poor learning facilities and overstretched manpower. He also faulted the gradual phasing out of Teachers’ Training Colleges and the weakened relevance of Colleges of Education, which he said has left primary schools staffed largely by degree holders with limited professional grounding.
Ayodele further criticised what he described as “policy summersaults,” saying successive administrations often discard existing education policies without thorough evaluation. He referenced the planned introduction of CBT examinations by WAEC in 2026 “without adequate audit of available infrastructure” as an example of policy inconsistency.
He expressed concern over the shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in core subjects, describing recent reports of schools operating with as many as 15 PTA-recruited teachers as worrisome.
“Many rural schools lack laboratories, libraries, technical workshops and ICT infrastructure. Without these, the 6-3-3-4 education system cannot thrive,” he added.
The National Coordinator also raised issues of poor accountability among school administrators and the growing indiscipline among students, blaming parental neglect for the rising trend.
Ayodele said the visible dilapidation of structures in Uso Grammar School mirrors the nationwide decay, adding that reversing the trend requires collective action.
He called on government to increase funding, invest in ICT and technical facilities, employ more teachers, and ensure proper planning before introducing new policies. He urged parents to take responsibility for the discipline of their wards and cautioned school managers to adopt inclusive and accountable administration.
For the Old Students’ Association, Ayodele said members are committed to partnering with government to restore the glory of Uso Grammar School and support future generations.
“We shall leave no stone unturned in our mission to rescue Uso Grammar School,” he declared, appealing to other old students who are yet to join the initiative to support the rebuilding efforts.
The week-long 50th anniversary celebration continues with a series of activities aimed at promoting education and strengthening the school’s infrastructure.
