Lagos State Government Charges Private School Owners to Uphold High Standards

The Lagos State Government has presented Provisional Approval Certificates to 75 new private school operators, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards in curriculum delivery, discipline, and compliance with state educational guidelines.

In a statement made during the presentation ceremony, Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, reiterated the State's commitment to quality education across both public and private schools. He explained that the issuance of provisional certificates followed a rigorous accreditation exercise to ensure that schools meet the minimum requirements in infrastructure, curriculum delivery, safety, and staff quality.

The Commissioner urged school owners to work in synergy with government policies, employ only qualified teachers certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines. He also emphasized the need for transparency and cooperation with evaluators.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, congratulated the new school owners and reminded them that their operations must reflect Lagos State's vision for innovation, inclusiveness, and global competitiveness.

According to the Coordinating Director, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mr. Remi Abdul, a total of 292 schools were granted provisional approval in 2024, while 145 schools have been cleared in two batches this year alone. He listed the benefits of the approval, including full government recognition, eligibility for external examinations, and access to capacity-building programs.

The school owners were also reminded of the forthcoming State-wide enumeration exercise of all private schools, which is critical for building a robust Education Management Information System (EMIS) database for Lagos State.