OEQA ENGAGES YET-TO-BE-APPROVED SCHOOL OWNERS ON APPROVAL GUIDELINES
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By: Motunrayo Aniwura
The Lagos State Government, through its Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) under the supervision of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education ( MB&SE), has reiterated its commitment to approving private school owners who meet the minimum requirements for establishing and operating a school.
The Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, made this known at an intervention workshop organised for yet-to-be-approved private school owners held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday.
Addressing a gathering of educators, proprietors, resource persons, and OEQA officials, he described the workshop as a vital step in the State’s efforts to ensure that every child has access to quality education in a safe and conducive environment.
Speaking on the theme: “Pathway to Progress: Scaling Up Private Schools for Approval in Lagos State,” the Commissioner, represented by the Director, Basic Education Services, MB&SE, Mr. Olufemi Asaolu, urged school proprietors to embrace regulatory compliance as a strategic pathway to sustainable growth and academic excellence.
He noted that the workshop reflects the proactive commitment of the OEQA to support private schools in aligning with established standards that promote effective teaching, learning, and school management.
He encouraged school owners not to view compliance as a bureaucratic hurdle but rather as a foundational principle for institutional excellence. “It is the bedrock upon which we build schools that shape character, foster innovation, and prepare our students to be responsible and productive citizens,” he said.
The Coordinating Director of OEQA, Mr. Remi Abdul, represented by the Director, Quality Assurance, Mr. Taofeek Ajibade, informed participants that the State Government is determined to approve all qualified schools before the end of the year, provided they meet the prescribed requirements.
He described the workshop as a clear demonstration of OEQA’s readiness to walk hand-in-hand with school owners on the journey toward full compliance.
Also speaking on the importance of complying with a set of guidelines, the Coordinating Director said that compliance by OEQA includes adherence to the Ministry’s minimum standards for infrastructure, staffing, curriculum delivery, and safety.
”It also involves promoting ethical governance, stakeholder accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement. Schools that prioritise compliance are better positioned to build trust, attract enrolment, retain qualified staff, and benefit from government support and partnerships. Moreover, they are protected from reputational, legal, and operational risks,” he added.
Dr. Suleiman Ogunmuyiwa, Director of Private Education and Special Programmes (PESP) at OEQA, encouraged proprietors to perceive compliance not as a burden but as a roadmap to long-term success. “Let us work together with a shared vision to raise the standard of education in Lagos State. Our children deserve nothing less”,. he said.
The Director stated that one of the key objectives of encouraging schools to register with the government is to enable the state to maintain accurate and up-to-date statistics about all educational centres operating within its jurisdiction. This data, he stated,
is crucial for effective planning, resource allocation, and the implementation of targeted interventions aimed at improving the overall quality of education.
He further emphasised that the state government recognises the pivotal role of private schools in complementing its efforts to deliver quality education to the growing population of learners.
Giving a breakdown of the approval requirements, Mrs. Kehinde Ogunlana, Head of Approvals, PESP, listed key criteria including adequate infrastructure, health and safety facilities, a functional library and ICT room, a sick bay, qualified teachers, a demarcated playground, fire extinguishers, school policies and registers, statutory records, tax compliance, and a reliable power source.
In her remarks, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Executive Director of SEED Care and Support Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting yet-to-be-approved schools, pledged to guide prospective school owners through technical support and facilitate connections with financial institutions.
She emphasised the Foundation’s mission to help underserved and informal educational institutions meet regulatory standards through tailored training, mentorship, and compliance resources aimed at helping them operate sustainably and legally.
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