Model schools are projects of necessity. In revamping dilapidated schools, state governments across the country have often seen the need to build model schools that would serve as a template of what a school building should look like in the modern day. To take just two examples, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration did it in Lagos and the Olusegun Mimiko government did same in Ondo. And so when, while marking his first year in office as governor of Ogun State in 2012, the then governor of Ogun State, now senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, announced the commencement of model schools to be built across 20 local council areas of the state, excitement was high in the air. The schools, it was expected, would bridge the gap between old and new infrastructure and enhance quality learning, and earmarked for each of these school was the sum of N27 billion.
Foundation laying ceremonies took place in Ilaro, Ogun West, where Governor Amosun said the model school projects were part of his commitment to restoring the glory of education in the state through providing affordable and qualitative education. “Every child in Ogun will have the opportunity to get the best of education and compete with their friends anywhere,” Amosun had assured. The next port of call was Abeokuta, where he similarly boasted that the 26 model schools would be fitted with “unparalleled facilities in science, technical education, agriculture, humanities, enterprise, and sports, with full boarding facilities… that will define the new Ogun standard in the provision of education at the secondary level.”
