A former Commissioner for lnformation in Kwara, Chief Jide Adebayo, has called for the setting up of a special fund for the development of infrastructure in public primary schools across the country.

Adebayo made the call during the handing-over of a block of classrooms donated to ECWA Primary School, Agamo, Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the block of classrooms was renovated by the school's alumni association at a cost of N3 million.

Adebayo, also a former NAN Executive Director, attended the school between 1960 and 1967.

He said the establishment of the fund dubbed "Primary Education Infrastructure Development Fund' (PEIDF), was long overdue.

"The fund, which is to assist in the reintegration of dilapidated structures in public schools, is not meant to stand in conflict with the existing Education Trust Fund.

"Rather, it is to complement its efforts aimed at developing the education sector," he said.

Adebayo described the state of infrastructure in both public primary and secondary schools across the country as appalling which required prompt and urgent government attention.

He described primary education as the bedrock of the education system whose foundation must never be toyed with.

"Once the foundation of the primary education is weak, there cannot be any meaningful impact on other segments of education development."

Chief Kayode Bamgbola, the president of the alumni association, said the gesture was part of the association's corporate social responsibility to the school and the community.

He said the school was renovated in honour of a one-time teacher and headmaster of the school, the late Elder Simeon Sangoyomi, for his immense contributions to the development of education in the area.

Bamgbola appreciated members for their contributions to the project and urged other individuals, humanitarian groups and corporate organisations to join hands in improving the standard of education. (NAN)