In a groundbreaking move, the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has unveiled a transformative School-to-Farm Program within the realm of basic education.
This pioneering initiative is set to nurture practical agricultural expertise among primary and junior secondary school students, heralding a new era in educational approaches.
Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, the Executive Chairman of Ogun SUBEB, made this announcement during an Agriculture Education Training Programme (AETP) Advocacy meeting, attended by key stakeholders in the basic education sector at the NUT Hall in Kuto, Abeokuta.
The School-to-Farm Program aspires to equip pupils with not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience in agriculture.
It will encompass diverse skills such as raising poultry (chickens), rabbits, snails, and fish, alongside the cultivation of staple crops like maize, cassava, yam, and vegetables.
Dr. Majekodunmi emphasized that, in recent years, agricultural education has leaned heavily towards theory, leaving students disconnected from the practical realities of agriculture.
This new approach aims to bridge that gap, opening up a world of job prospects, including agribusiness, agro-technology, agricultural engineering, sustainable farming methods, and rural development.
To make this vision a reality, UBEC has allocated a portion of its grant to AETP, ensuring that agricultural science at the basic education level becomes more hands-on.
The ultimate goal is to empower learners with skills that promote self-employment, entrepreneurship, life skills, and a profound understanding of agriculture’s biological processes.
Furthermore, the program seeks to enhance the capabilities of teachers and community members who will be involved in its implementation.
The meeting’s participants are expected to collaboratively develop a framework to ensure the program’s success in various divisions.
In support of this transformative initiative, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science, and Technology, emphasized that engaging children in agriculture from a young age fosters holistic learning and a deeper understanding of the cycle of life and growth.
He called on education stakeholders to rally behind this effort, which aligns with the State government’s commitment to stimulating learners’ interest in agricultural enterprises.
Dr. Mukail Lawal, the Secretary of SUBEB Board, underscored that this initiative aims to bridge the divide between theory and practice, the classroom and the farm.
” It is poised to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the dynamic agricultural sector.
The advocacy meeting witnessed the participation of representatives from UBEC, SUBEB, OGADEP, the Ministry of Agriculture, Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority, and a spectrum of Basic Education Stakeholders, including Education Secretaries, Headteachers, and eager learners. Together, they heralded the dawn of a new era in agricultural education within Ogun State’s basic education system.
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