The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, on Monday said the state government would not also hesitate to withdraw letters of approval from schools that refuse to adhere to regulations.
Adebule spoke at the 3rd Quarterly Stakeholders’ Forum of Private School Owners with the theme, `’Entrenching Best Practices’, organised by the State Ministry of Education.
She said that quality foundation of human capital at primary and secondary learning institutions was critical to the development and sustenance of the nation’s economy.
The deputy governor reiterated her displeasure at the high number of schools private schools operating illegally in the state.
“Government is not comfortable with our discovery that over 15, 000 private schools are operating in the state and only 4,556 are approved and registered.
“We will no longer allow unregistered schools to operate in the state as from next session, and will not also hesitate to withdraw letters of approvals from schools that refuse to adhere to regulations,” she said.
Adebule said that the government was committed to engaging private school operators effectively in delivering quality education in the state.
She said the government was also investing heavily to upgrade teaching and learning in public schools.
“This forum demonstrates our commitment to continuously evolve an inclusive education sector to drive quality, effective and functional education.
“Quality education will bring about quality human capital, and no nation or society can develop better without the quality of its human capital.
“As a government, we are committed to ensuring that all children have access to quality education in the state because educational development is synonymous with sustainable economic development,’’ she said.
Mr Adesina Odeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that the forum was to evaluate educational progress of private school students in the state and the way forward.
Odeyemi urged private school owners to cooperate with the government in driving policies that would impact positively on the performance and progress of the students, who are tomorrow’s leaders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 119 Letters of Approval were presented to some newly-approved private schools.
On April 11, the Lagos State Government had also issued letters of approvals to 114 private school owners who met government requirements for the operation of private primary and secondary schools in the state. (NAN)