LASG To Regulate Tutorial Centres

Those who wish to operate tutorial and continuing education centres in Lagos State will now have to fulfil some conditions, the state government has said.

Business Post learnt such people will have to go through the Agency for Mass Education (AME) for approval.

Special Adviser to the State Governor on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said at a recent press briefing that the government will do all in its power to improve the quality of education in the State.

He said the AME has commenced the registration of all Continuing Education/Tutorial Centres in the State, as well as the enforcement of compliance to set standards in line with the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education Edict 1990, Section 4 (2, 3) that mandates the Agency to control activities of all Education Centres in the State.

According to him, “As Government, we must set standards across board and ensure they are met. These Centres serve the needs of many Lagosians, and we are committed to ensure that high quality of service is delivered”.

The Special Adviser explained that the minimum standards required of any Centre include employment of qualified instructors/teachers, appropriate environment for learning, adherence to safety precautions, clean convenience facilities and an up-to-date record keeping system.

Mr Bank-Olemoh also observed that the commitment to upholding high standards should be a collective effort among all stakeholders, including government agencies, management of Tutorial Centres, relevant associations, and even parents of students who patronize these Centres.

He said series of meetings were held between some of relevant bodies including the Association of Tutorial School Operators (ATSO) and the Agency for Mass Education over the past months where it was agreed that all Continuing Education/Tutorial centres should be registered with the Agency for Mass Education; and that any centre that does not comply will be closed down.

Having distributed demand notices as well as enjoining proprietors of such Centres to register since 2015 in order to avoid sanctions, he warned that the Government will commence closure of all unregistered Tutorial Centres in the State, effective from September 19, 2016.