The Kwara State Government is to rehabilitate five Technical Colleges in the state to serve as incubation centres for the International Vocational Centre at Ajasse-Ipo.

Similarly, 30 schools across the state are to be comprehensively rehabilitated in the first quarter of next year.

These were part of highlights contained in this year’s budget presented by the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed to the State House of Assembly.

He said ten schools would be rehabilitated in all the three senatorial districts.

The governor explained that his administration had intensified efforts over the years to provide quality education to children in the state.

He said education no doubt remained the bedrock of development and veritable source of the manpower requirement of the state.

"In order to further enhance the quality of education at all levels, training and retraining will be pursued vigorously to strengthen the capacity of our teachers to deliver effectively in our schools.

"Besides, by the first quarter of 2015, we shall take another bold step towards providing our youths with functional skills when the City and Guilds – affiliated International Vocational Centre, Ajasse-Ipo takes in its first set of students.

"This school will connect with our Quick win initiative, under which a new crop of youth entrepreneurs is currently receiving vocational and entrepreneurship training, to fill middle level manpower gaps.

"However, the major initiatives planned for implementation in 2015 are: Rehabilitation of five Technical Colleges to serve as incubation centres for the International Vocational Centre at Ajasse-Ipo.

"Renovation of four Women Development Centres at Lafiagi, Kaiama, Shao and Bode Saadu to improve rural women vocational skills.

"The total amount proposed for the activities of this sub-sector is Nine billion, seven hundred and forty-five million, nine hundred and fifty-six thousand, Six hundred and thirty-seven naira.

"In addition, attention will be paid to the renovation and completion of some physical infrastructures in our tertiary institutions. In order to accomplish the activities earmarked for execution in all our tertiary institutions in 2015 financial year, a total sum of Six billion, nine hundred and sixty-four million, nine hundred and sixty-four thousand, two hundred and twenty-two naira has been set aside.

"Furthermore, government will continue its commitment towards enhance welfare of indigent students of the state in our tertiary institutions, through prompt payment of bursary and scholarship in order to reduce the financial burden of parents".