LAGOS PRESENTS PROVISIONAL APPROVAL LETTERS TO 199 NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL OWNERS
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Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), on Thursday, presented provisional approval letters to 199 new private school owners increasing the number of registered private primary and secondary schools in the State from 5,423 to 5,622.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun who made a symbolic presentation of provisional letters to some of the new school owners at Education Resource Centre (ERC) Ojodu, commended the Proprietors and Proprietress for taking the bold step of seeking government’s approval. He decried the number of unregistered schools in the State, revealing that about 12,000 private schools are operating without statutory approvals.
While disclosing that 80% of child abuse cases in Lagos State are from unapproved schools, the Commissioner promised that the Ministry will continue to sanitise the education sector and make the sector thrive for only government-recognised schools. He pleaded with the school owners to prioritise the life of every pupil and student by ensuring their security during and after school hours.
In his words; “Ensure adequate safety measures are taken to secure the life of every child in your school and let your teachers and supporting staff imbibe the safety measures as part of school governance culture”.
Alli-Balogun reminded the new school owners that the provisional approvals were done in the name of the proprietors subject to conditions as stipulated in the Guidelines on Establishment and Operation of Schools.
He said: “Take note that the schools are not transferable neither can the approvals be used for another branch of the school in another location without the approval of the Office of Education Quality Assurance”.
He seized the opportunity to encourage other private school owners who are yet to start or conclude the registration and approval process to do so without further hesitation, saying that the benefits are numerous for the school owners, children, parents and communities.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, urged the school owners to be guided by the drive to bring up children that will benefit themselves, their families and the entire nation in the future.
Abolaji, who said that the relationship between the state government and private school owners is for cooperation and not intimidation, also warned that the government will not shy away from giving disciplinary measures to operators that run foul of the operation guidelines.
Giving an overview of the benefits and conditions attached to the provisional approval given to the new private school owners, the Director, Private Education and Special Programmes (PESP), OEQA, Mrs. Fabambi Falayi congratulated the new school owners for meeting all the requirements needed to secure approval from the State Government.
She listed some of the benefits of being a registered school including recognition by the Lagos State Government, Federal Government & International Development Agencies (UNICEF, USAID, among others), and accreditation to present School candidates for external examinations.
Other benefits according to the Director are Publication of the School Name on the Official Website of the OEQA, Easy access to loans from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and other Finance Agencies, Discounted prices for the conduct of Integrity Tests from the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), Access to relief packages and palliatives from the State & Federal Government when available, among others.
Falayi said that the present administration sees private school owners as major players and great partners in the education sector in Lagos State, saying that the operation and success of private schools are critical to the State’s aspirations of becoming a major player on the global stage.
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