The Lagos State Government on Monday said N11.6 billion was expended on rehabilitation and construction of some public primary and secondary schools in the state.
Dr Idiat Adebule, Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Commissioner for Education, made the disclosure at the 2017 Ministerial Press Briefing to mark two years in office of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.
Adebule said the massive project was carried out to accommodate the growing population of the state as well as provide conducive teaching and learning environment in public schools.
”In 2016, Gov. Ambode approved funds for the ministry where 79 schools were renovated, construction of school wall fence in 16 schools, construction of six new classroom blocks and 48, 440 students, 1,800 teachers and 100 principals furniture were supplied.
”We also provided 707 double-bunk beds, and 469 mattresses were supplied to our schools with boarding facilities.
”The sun of N11.6 billion was expended on the above projects”, she said.
Adebule said N555 million was paid for 44, 968 students who sat for the 2017 West African School Certificate Examinations (WAEC) in the state.
According to her, the payment of the WAEC fees is in fulfilment of the state government’s promise to lessen the burden of parents in the academic pursuit of their children and wards.
On discipline in schools, Adebule said a teacher was dismissed while three others were sanctioned in 2016 for various acts of misconduct.
She urged parents and guardians to monitor the activities and progress of their children and wards to prevent lawless attitudes in schools.
”Five students who were alleged to have participated in molesting their female colleagues have been arraigned and are facing the law.
”Let it be clear and without any prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing trial, any child found wanting like those of Ireti Grammar School and Falomo High X
School, will not be spared by the government”, she said.
The deputy governor said N75 million was paid to 4, 601 retired teachers in the last one year.
She said that plans had begun for the construction of two additional technical colleges in Ibeju Lekki and Badagry areas of the state to increase access.
”We issued 418 letters of approval to private schools which increased the number of approved schools in the state to 4, 920”, she said.
Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, Special Adviser to Gov. Ambode on Education said 11, 492 residents enrolled at the state’s adult learning centres across the state in the last one year.
He also said that N282 million was paid as bursary awards to students in the last one year. (NAN)