Alli’s Education Vision: 30 Students Per Class, Digitalisation from Primary to Tertiary — By Tope Topman

Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has expressed support for measures aimed at improving the quality of education in Oyo State, including the introduction of a 30-student-per-class structure and the digitalisation of the state’s education system from the primary to tertiary level.

The disclosure was made during a one-on-one conversation with Senator Alli, where the feasibility of maintaining smaller class sizes and the potential economic benefits of the initiative were discussed.

During the conversation, a question was raised about whether the state could realistically achieve a system where each class accommodates approximately 30 students, as well as the possible impact such a policy could have on education and the wider state economy.

In response, Senator Alli reportedly laughed and explained that the idea was not new to Oyo State, noting that a similar initiative had been implemented in the past and could be reintroduced.

“Tope, this is not our first time. We have implemented it in the past, and we will reintroduce it. In addition, we will digitalise our educational system from the primary to the tertiary level,” he said.

The senator further highlighted the broader economic implications of the initiative, drawing from his experience during the administration of former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, when Alli served as Secretary to the State Government.

According to him, the implementation of the policy during that period contributed to the promotion of teachers, the construction of additional schools and the creation of employment opportunities for graduates and artisans.

“I will illustrate the economic benefits we experienced previously to give you a comprehensive understanding of the advantages of the initiative,” he said.

He explained that expanding the education system to accommodate smaller class sizes would require additional infrastructure, personnel and support services, thereby creating opportunities across different sectors of the economy.

The initiative, as described, would not only focus on reducing the number of students in classrooms but would also be complemented by the digital transformation of education across all levels.

The proposed digitalisation, according to Senator Alli, would extend from primary education through secondary and tertiary institutions, potentially improving access to educational resources, teaching methods, administration and learning technologies.

The discussion also underscored the potential connection between investment in education and broader economic development, particularly through employment creation, infrastructure development and human-capital development.

Following the explanation, I expressed confidence in Senator Alli’s vision and commitment to strengthening Oyo State’s education sector, particularly his emphasis on linking educational reforms with economic opportunities.

The proposal, if implemented, would represent a broader approach to education reform—combining manageable classroom sizes, infrastructure development, teacher recruitment and promotion, employment generation and digital transformation.

The conversation further highlighted the importance of sustained investment in education as a foundation for developing the state’s human capital and building a stronger economy for future generations.