Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, says the state has recovered 25 schools from land grabbers since Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office in November 2024.

Speaking with journalists in Benin City on Sunday, Iyamu also disclosed that 68 schools had also been renovated, creating a more conducive learning environment for students.

He dismissed claims that the figures were exaggerated, urging critics to visit the schools and verify the information, which he said is documented in the ministry.

According to him, improvements in public schools have triggered a notable shift, with over 1,000 students transferring from private to public schools in the last academic year.

He attributed this to the government’s policy of free education at both the primary and secondary levels.

Iyamu said the government had concluded plans to build additional schools across the state to accommodate increasing enrolment.

“Since Governor Okpebholo came into office, 25 schools have been reclaimed from land grabbers. The state needs more learning spaces for children, and the move was the right one,” he said.

“The government has also renovated or rebuilt 68 schools, and anyone doubting this should go and verify. The records are with the ministry.

“Over 1,000 students migrated from private to public schools in the last one year because of the improvements in infrastructure. The governor is committed to giving children of the poor a seat at the table of success.”

Citing examples, the commissioner said Army Day Secondary School, which previously had about 502 students; Evbareke, about 350; and Uyiosa, once considered a “dead school,” now collectively host over 3,000 students.

“We are even being modest with the figures so that people won’t accuse us of bandying unsubstantiated numbers,” he added.

Iyamu further disclosed that 4,000 contract teachers employed for three years by the previous administration, as well as 1,000 community-engaged teachers, have now been offered full employment.

He added that the government had paid N3bn out of the N4.6bn owed workers of the state College of Education, which was shut down for restructuring by the last administration.

Iyamu said the state’s technical colleges had been fully upgraded, with the government paying N40,000 monthly stipends to students in the institutions.

Since assuming office, Governor Okpebholo has implemented several measures to make education more attractive to children, including school renovations and demolition of illegal structures within school premises.

The commissioner added that the state’s free education policy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on access to free, quality education.