L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela bank-Olemoh; Representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi and Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Engr. Ganiyu Sopeyin during the Foundation Laying ceremony of the new Lagos State Model School at Ojo, on Thursday, February 2, 2017.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said his administration has awarded contract for the construction of eight new blocks of classrooms as well as the renovation of 174 existing blocks of classrooms and the construction of perimeter fence in various schools to enhance security.
The Governor, who spoke at the Foundation Laying ceremony of the New Model School in Awori College, Ojo, said the government has also commenced the supply of over 40,000 students’ furnitures on a quarterly basis to clear the identified shortfall of 160,000.
Governor Ambode, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule expressed optimism that the sustained efforts of his administration to improve on the quality of teaching and learning environment would positively impact on the performance of students.
He noted that performance of students in the last West African Examination Council (WAEC) conducted examination was most assuring and an indication that the State was moving in the right direction.
The Governor said, “Today we are introducing a new model of block of classrooms in our public secondary schools. This edifice, apart from aiding teaching and learning, will compare favourably with high school structures in leading countries of the world.
“Apart from the aesthetics value, the new structure is capable of enhancing security of students, staff and schools materials in the face of the recent security breaches in our schools. It would comprise 36 classrooms, library, staff rooms, multipurpose hall, laboratories, principal/Vice Principal’s offices and modern toilet facilities for both junior and senior schools.”
He assured students in the State that his administration was committed to building a future of great opportunities, possibilities and prosperity through the provision of qualitative education that is consistent with the demands of the 21stcentury.
He enjoined the students to embrace the opportunities being provided by showing serious commitment to their studies and shun all negative values that could hinder their dreams.
“Let me assure all parents that we will continue to do our very best to ensure that our schools are safe from intruders. We have put in place measures to secure our pupils, students, teaching and non teaching staff. Our standards are high and we will continue to make them better,” the Governor said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, said that the words and actions of Governor Ambode about education has spoken loud and in unequivocal terms about his passion to ensure the provision of high quality education that is accessible to all learners through effective and efficient management of resources for the attainment of self reliance and socio- economic development.
Also, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, urged residents to appreciate the government’s prompt response to anything that has to do with education and future development of youths in the State, adding that the priority being accorded education in the state, particularly by the Ambode-led administration cannot but be applauded.
He said though other states of the federation find it difficult to pay teachers’ salary, the reverse was the case in Lagos as Governor Ambode pays salaries of staff, teachers inclusive on the 22nd of every month.
“This present administration recently employed more that 1,300 teachers and is about employing another 1,000. All these and other achievements were made possible due to good managers and able lieutenants at the helm of affairs as far as education is concerned,” Ogunyemi said.
Akwa Ibom State Government has set up modalities for the screening and revalidation of Five Thousand personnel recruited as teachers whose appointment were cancelled October 29th 2016, on grounds of observed irregularities in the recruitment process.
The revalidation is scheduled for Saturday, 11th February 2017.
The Head of Civil Service Mrs Ekereobong Akpan, dropped this hint during a Media briefing with Government House Correspondents at her office.
Mrs Akpan said that Government has made good its promise of employing qualified personnel into the teaching service by opening another window of recruitment to enable affected persons defend their suitability in another round of test adding that the affected personnel would be admitted into the venue of the revalidation on presentation of original copy of the Letter of Appointment which was suspended.
According to her, “Affected persons will be expected to supply their personal details, Birth Certificate, First School Leaving Certificate, Educational Qualifications, Certificate of Origin etc. earlier submitted in the aborted recruitment exercise.
“Let me state here and very sincerely, that all the affected persons who succeed at this fool-proof screening exercise shall be offered appointment to teach in our public schools” Mrs Akpan assured.
On the absorption of staff of the six privately owned Community Schools, the Head of Service explained that the sudden rise to 546 personnel in the schools following approval for take-over by government in 2012 was worrisome to this administration as it immediately set up committee to unravel the mystery.
The Head of Service said “… Let me again break the good news that the committee set up has submitted it report and all the bona fide teaching and non-teaching staff as identified by the community who used to pay roll them will be absorbed into the service”
Mrs Akpan mentioned the affected Schools to include Unity Model College, Obontong Nsit Ibom LGA, Community Secondary School, Obio Ediene Ikono LGA, Ikono Annang Comprehensive Secondary School Nkwot Ikono Etim Ekpo LGA. Others are Afaha High School, Ikot Udo Mbang, Ukanafun LGA, Comprehensive High School, Ikpe Mbak Eyop Obot Akara LGA and Comprehensive Secondary School, Iwere, Ini LGA.
She used the occasion to apologised to the affected genuine staff of the institutions for the hardship suffered while the verification exercise lasted and commended the committee for embarking on what she described as a painstaking assignment.
The Head of Service who was flanked by the Permanent Secretary, Deaconess Affiong Okpo, particularly expressed appreciation to the State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel for his uncompromising stance in ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process and called on the people to keep faith with the Governor and support his laudable programmes as well as efforts at repositioning the educational sector for a better Akwa Ibom.
Representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh and Project Director, Mr. Oluwole Sotire with the proposed Ultra Modern Building for the new Lagos State Model School during the Foundation Laying ceremony at Ojo, on Thursday, February 2, 2017.
Representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, performing the foundation laying for the proposed Ultra Modern School Building during the ceremony at Ojo, on Thursday, February 2, 2017.
The proposed Ultra Modern Building for the new Lagos State Model School during the Foundation Laying ceremony at Ojo, on Thursday, February 2, 2017.