LAGOS STATE ISSUES TWO WEEK-ULTIMATUM TO UNREGISTERED PRIVATE SCHOOL OWNERS
In line with the pursuit of the Lagos State Government to ensure delivery of high quality education to all pupils and students in the State, the government has directed all proprietors of private schools, irrespective of their accreditation status, to register their educational institutions at the State Educational District within their areas of operation on or before 31st of July, 2016.
The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who made this known in her office, noted that this administration places high premium on the important services being rendered by private and public educational institutions for socio-economic development of the State and the Nation at large.
Dr. Adebule declared that the exercise was strictly meant to gather data that will avail government the opportunity to know all the education service providers in the State, visit them and monitor what they are doing in order to ensure it is in line with the quality assurance regulation of schools below tertiary level with a view to improving learning outcomes.
She noted that government owes responsibility to all pupils and students in public or private schools in the State, either accredited or not in order to ensure that are non half-baked products.
The registration according to the Deputy Governor is free of charge and will be of immense benefit to the proprietors as they will be guided on how to meet accreditation criteria.
The registration designated centres include Education District 1, Diary Farm, Agege; Education District 2, Maryland Schools Complex, Maryland; Education District 3, 123, Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi; Education District 4, Mcwen Street, Sabo, Yaba; Education District 5, Agboju Schools Complex, Old Ojo Road, Agboju and Education District 6, Ewenla Street, Near Charity Bus Stop, Oshodi.
The Deputy Governor warned that having been given the opportunity to register their schools with the government free of charge, any school that refuses to register would be deemed to have something to hide and appropriate sanctions would be applied when such schools are detected.
During the questions and answers session, Dr. Adebule noted that ‘the State government is not out to send any school out of business but to encourage their growth and operation in a conducive environment. Public schools in remote areas experiencing dearth of teachers would be accommodated in the recruitment of 1000 teachers approved by the Governor, as this recruitment will be need based.’
She also hinted that massive reconstruction of infrastructure in existing schools and construction of new ones will commence next week to ensure that the schools resume into a learning environment that is conducive in the new academic session.
