OYO STATE SCHOOL EYE HEALTH: SEE WELL, LEARN WELL.

‎In Oyo State, some children fail in school not because they can't learn, but because they can't see clearly. An estimated 30% of poor academic performance in public primary and secondary schools is linked to uncorrected refractive errors in children who cannot see the blackboard. Currently, there is NO mandatory vision screening policy for school enrollment or progression in Oyo State. Children sometimes get help when an NGO like EyeSmart Vision Foundation visits. This affects learning, increases school dropouts, and violates the right to inclusive education.

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‎THE POLICY IDEA:

‎I propose an Oyo State School Eye Health: See well, learn well Policy that will:

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‎1.  Make FREE annual vision screening compulsory for all pupils in public primary and secondary schools, at resumption of each academic year.

‎2.  Integrate eye health into the existing School Health Programme under Oyo State Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.

‎3.  Mandate OYSHIA (Oyo State Health Insurance Agency) to cover basic eye care, eye tests and prescription glasses for school children in public schools.

‎4.  Create a simple database to track screened children and provide glasses through partnership with local optometrists and opticians

5.   Create a system of referral from school to the local eye care provider

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‎EXPECTED IMPACT:

‎1. Improved learning outcomes and retention in public schools

‎2. Early detection of blindness causes

‎3. Reduced financial burden on parents

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While Oyo state has ratified the National Eye Health Policy, it is yet to domesticate it into a specific, enforceable School Eye Health Law. My proposal is for Oyo state to be the first Southwest state to pass a dedicated School Eye Health Bill that makes annual screening compulsory for public school pupils and includes free glasses under OYSHIA.