The state government of Ondo State has established an Education Endowment Fund to raise funds for repositioning the state's education sector as part of its efforts to raise the quality of education.
To help the state's government fund the education sector, the endowment fund asks all taxable state residents to voluntarily contribute N1,000 per year.
Talking with columnists about the improvement on Tuesday in Akure, the state capital, the state Chief for Training, Science and Innovation, Mr Femi Agagu, said the state government had set up a board containing unmistakable indigenes of the state to manage and direct the asset for the advancement of schooling at all levels in the state wisely.
The commissioner said that the number of schools funded by the state government was so large that all residents needed to work together to help the government. He noticed that the public authority was focusing over N1bn yearly from the blessing store assuming 1,000,000 individuals of the state pay their N1,000 demand.
He said, “The fundamental conception is that the fund will have perpetual existence and that all and sundry within Ondo State and beyond will be encouraged and indeed urged to contribute to it according to their abilities and at all times as they feel able to do so.
“Contributions could be once and for all lump sums or periodic remittances of the standing-order type. International and national organizations, as well as individuals within and outside Nigeria, are welcome and strongly encouraged to contribute to the fund.
“Attainment of the desired place for education in our dear state cannot be shouldered by the government alone. Considering the number of schools the government needs to finance, aside from other sectors, funding education must be a collective responsibility. ”
He however mentioned that there was no penalty for whoever could not pay the amount, adding that the government would begin to embark on state-wide sensitisation to inform the people about the significance of funds to the education sector of the state.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, in his remarks, said the fund would supplement capital projects being implemented in the education sector coupled with the budgetary provisions.
“These funds are to enhance whatever the state has been able to do. The board is made up of reputable individuals. Nothing has affected the budget for education.
“We are able to fund our budget. The state is able to meet all its obligations in the budget as per education. This fund is to enhance whatever the state government is doing in the education sector. Whatever the government is able to do will be enhanced. We have met with the workers. What is key is to let people know the importance.”
