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Says investments in school infrastructure yielding positive results
As part of the strategies to enhance school infrastructure in the state, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has commissioned more blocks of class rooms and other facilities at the ancient Agbowa town in Ikorodu axis of the state, saying that his administration’s investment on education is yeilding positive results.
The governor also said that his administration has completed over 1,097 projects covering 970 schools across the state.
Speaking while unveiling a new set of newly completed projects at UPE Primary School, Odo Ayandelu and Odo Ayandelu Junior Academy, within UPE Primary School, Agbowa in Ikorodu axis, Sanwo-Olu said that the projects would further drive the “Education and Technology” pillar of his administration’s THEMES Agenda.
According to the governor, who was represented his Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure,Engr Aramide Adeyoye, if the administration must actualize its greater Lagos vision, quality education must remain one of our most solid building blocks. He said it would improve the learning and teaching environment in public schools since education remains the most potent tool of empowerment and one of the most tested ways to close the gap between poverty and wealth.
He said that his administration ensured the prompt construction and rehabilitation of 322 dilapidated public schools and supplied 87,000 dual composite units of furniture to primary and secondary schools across the state.
The governor, who said that education provides individuals with the necessary knowledge and skill set to actualize their potential and maximize opportunities in life, assured that he would continue to do its best until all the promised infrastructural projects have been delivered to the beneficiary schools across the State. He said: “The vital role of education in the growth and development of a megacity like ours has made it imperative for us to ensure that our children have access to quality education and an enabling environment for excellent learning.In order to accelerate our children’s access to world-class pedagogical learning, we have aggressively embarked on the provision of blocks of classrooms, administrative offices, school furniture, laboratories, modern toilet facilities, and security across the six Education Districts and Local Government Councils. Therefore, our children have access to quality education irrespective of their location.
“We have so far completed over 1,097 projects covering 970 schools across the state. In the last two years, our Government has ensured the prompt construction and rehabilitation of 322 dilapidated public schools, while 87,000 dual composite units of furniture were supplied to Primary and Secondary Schools across the State.”
The governor, who also inspected the classes, toilets and other facilities to assess work done before the commissioning, said that his administration is convinced that teaching and learning can only effectively take place in a conducive environment, adding that it explains its commitment to the provision of new structures and the rehabilitation of existing ones.
The governor said:“I am glad to note that our investment in the education sector has been yielding positive results. Our students’ performance has improved in examinations, national and international competitions. They also have improved morals, etiquette, and confidence in public speaking. Lagos State Public Schools have consistently emerged as the overall best at the international Robotics Competition since 2015 and have continued to excellently represent Nigeria at this annual competition.
While urging the staff and other stakeholders in the host communities to take ownership of the infrastructure, the governor commended the Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) and the Lagos State Infrastructure Management and Maintenance Agency (LASIAMA) for collaborating effectively to actualize our vision for the education sector.
On her part, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, who was represented by Mr Felix Adeyemi said that the governor has also touched virtually all value chain of the education segment in the development drive.
Principal, Community Junior Academy, Odo-Ayandolu, Mr Moshood Adeyemi thanked the government for the project and appealed for perimeter fence to make the environment safer.
In his remarks, the headmaster of the primary section, Mr Kehinde Adeleka requested for additional classrooms to cater for population growth of the school.
Master Compassion David a JS3 Student thanked the government’s atrides in renovating the schools while Master Clement Samuel of the primary school wings prayed for God’s blessings on the “governor and his entire working team”.
Traditional ruler of the area Oba Ganiu Asunmo represented by High Chief Onabanjo Olisa thanked the government but appealed for additional intervention in other secondary schools in the area whose infrastructure were all already overstretched.
