A Promise of 30 Pupils Per Classroom Sounds Good—But Where Is the Plan?
The promise to reduce public school classrooms in Oyo State to a maximum of 30 pupils has generated considerable public interest. While the proposal is commendable in principle, many education stakeholders and residents are asking a simple question: How will this become reality under current conditions?
The idea of smaller class sizes is not new. Research has consistently shown that pupils in smaller classrooms receive more individual attention, participate better in lessons and often achieve improved academic outcomes. A University of Ibadan study on Oyo State's class-size reduction policy during the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja found that junior secondary school students in classes of 30 or fewer generally performed better academically than those in much larger classes.
However, translating that ideal into today's reality is a far greater challenge.
Across many public schools in Oyo State, overcrowded classrooms remain a daily reality. In several schools, more than 100 pupils share a single classroom, with some classes reportedly exceeding 120 learners. Despite Governor Seyi Makinde's administration recruiting teachers in multiple phases and investing in education, teacher shortages still exist in many schools, particularly in rapidly growing communities. The state government itself has acknowledged the need to continue expanding access to quality education while addressing infrastructure and staffing gaps.
This raises important questions that deserve answers before such campaign promises are celebrated.
Reducing classroom populations to 30 pupils cannot be achieved through campaign speeches or press conferences alone. It would require constructing thousands of additional classrooms, recruiting and training thousands of qualified teachers, supplying desks and learning materials, expanding school facilities, and significantly increasing education funding. These investments would also need to be sustained over several years.
Without a detailed implementation strategy, many voters may struggle to see how such an ambitious target can realistically be achieved.
Supporters of the proposal point to history. During the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, efforts were made to decongest classrooms, particularly in junior secondary schools. Some former students recall noticeable improvements between 2004 and 2006, while others argue that the policy was only partially implemented and never fully covered all classes or schools. The debate highlights that although classroom decongestion has been attempted before, replicating such reforms today would involve far greater financial and demographic challenges because Oyo State's school-age population has grown substantially over the past two decades.
Education experts also note that classroom size is only one aspect of quality education. UNESCO-backed education assessments on Nigeria indicate that many public schools still struggle with overcrowding, inadequate classrooms, teacher shortages and insufficient learning resources. These reports emphasise that reducing class sizes requires simultaneous investment in infrastructure and teacher recruitment rather than policy declarations alone.
This is why many Nigerians have become increasingly sceptical of campaign promises. Citizens are no longer satisfied with attractive slogans or ambitious targets; they want measurable plans backed by timelines, budgets and clearly defined implementation strategies.
Ultimately, no one disputes that smaller classrooms would benefit pupils and teachers alike. The real issue is whether the promise is supported by a practical roadmap capable of overcoming today's economic realities, inflationary pressures and existing infrastructure deficits.
As Oyo State moves closer to another election cycle, voters should evaluate every campaign promise carefully. Rather than being carried away by catchy headlines, they should demand detailed policy documents, cost estimates and realistic implementation plans.
If politicians want the people's mandate, they must do more than sell attractive ideas—they must demonstrate exactly how those ideas will become achievable realities.
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