Teachers in Osun are struggling to cope with the devastating effects of poverty on their students, a disturbing OIFM report reveals.
A recent interview with instructors in public schools across Ila-Orangun local government area revealed heartbreaking stories of pupils arriving at school hungry and weak.
Mrs. Popoola Funmilayo, a teacher at Saint Micheal’s Primary School, has taken it upon herself to provide meals for her students from her own pocket. “It’s unbearable to see children come to school emaciated and weak due to hunger,” she lamented. The consequences of hunger are dire, as it severely impacts concentration and academic performance.
Another teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, painted an even bleaker picture. “My pupils trek kilometers to and from school on empty stomachs because their parents can’t afford transportation or food.”
Other concerned citizens who spoke to our correspondents opined that this stark reality underscores the urgent need for government intervention as the hike in price of petrol continues to affect vulnerable families.
Rev. Dr. Peter Fadun, the proprietor of First Baptist Group of Schools in Ila-Orangun urged the government and relevant agencies to address the root causes of poverty and find lasting solutions to mitigate its impact on education.
As poverty levels surge in Osun, stakeholders insist that it is crucial to prioritize the well-being and education of the state’s most vulnerable citizens – its children.
