The Oyo state government on Friday warned land grabbers and church against encroaching on public school lands for their benefit. 

According to the media team of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, the Commissioner for Education Science and Technology,  Abdulwaheed Adelabu, gave the warning during a routine check at St. Agnes Basic School, Iluju, Ogbomoso.

Mr Adelabu complained about the rate at which a nearby church and land grabbers encroached on the school’s land and properties.

“Government’s policies on encroachment on land still remain the same. Encroachment of any nature will not be entertained by the Oyo State Government,” he stated.

The commissioner stressed that schools must be free from distractions and ordered the Oriire Local Government’s education secretary to thoroughly investigate the situation and submit a report to the ministry via the basic education board.

Mr Adelabu also spoke with a few of the 21 Better Education Service Delivery For All (BESDA) public primary schools headteachers, urging them to implement novel practices in their daily operations.

The commissioner thanked the teachers for supporting Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

He emphasised the importance of primary education, noting that most development partners concentrate more on supporting primary education.

Additionally, Jacob Dairo, the executive secretary of the Oyo SUBEB, warned against the illegal collection of fees, noting that the state government forbade it.