By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to offering the best education for pupils of private and public primary and secondary schools in a conducive and secure environment through zero tolerance for unsafe, substandard institutions that flout State policy on child safety and protection.
The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, disclosed this during enforcement an exercise to seal off Multi-Vision School located within the State Education District 1.
Mrs Soyombo disclosed that government is determined to ensure a high standard, quality education and safeguard of pupils across schools in the State, noting that the enforcement exercise was to ensure strict compliance with the State Ministry of Education’s approved guidelines for operating schools in a safe environment.
The Director-General further stated that the management of the school ignored an earlier warning to relocate from its location under high tension electric cables which constitutes a threat to the lives of learners and violates the operational standard set by the government.
According to her, “the State government will not permit the operation of schools with inadequate classrooms; school compound use for religious purposes; schools located within residential buildings and under high tension wires and those with structural defect, dirty and unkempt environment”.
“The vision of OEQA is strictly to continue to set the pace for educational excellence with integrity, transparency and mutual respect in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities”, she added.
The Director-General, however, advised owners of schools where closure and relocation notices had been served to desist from removing the said notices, warning that such act attracts strict sanctions and prosecution by the State government.
While imploring parents to stop patronising substandard private schools because of the inherent danger, Soyombo encouraged prospective and aspiring school owners to visit the Office of Education Quality Assurance website for guidelines in setting up a school in order to avoid operating below the set operational standards.