LAGOS EDUCATION DISTRICT IV ORGANISES STAKEHOLDER-MEETING ON COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMME
In line with the Lagos State Government’s plan to establish Comprehensive Schools that will provide a suitable career path for students based on their profile of intelligence, intellectual and skill competence, the State Education District IV has organised a stakeholders’ meeting for the smooth implementation of a project designed for students in Senior Secondary Schools at the Lagos City Senior College and Government College Senior School, Surulere.
Speaking at the meeting, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Mr. Sunday Agboade Jokotola, applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, for coming up with the brilliant initiative to reduce the percentage of out-of-school children.
He explained that the programme will provide opportunities for senior secondary students to acquire either academics, vocation or any marketable skill that will ensure meaningful contributions to the economy even if they join the workforce immediately after the completion of their secondary school education.
Jokotola said: “The Comprehensive Schools will help reduce the percentage of students who dropped out of school due to their inability to cope academically with their peers. We must realise that all students have equal rights to be educated. Any student who couldn’t perform well academically will be advised to continue with any other vocational or marketable skills as they will all be graduating with a valid certificate”.
He appealed to the stakeholders to support the programme conceived to actualise the dreams of many students, stressing that the initiative would also put a stop to child trafficking and child labour in Lagos State.
Earlier, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for creating an opportunity for the students to achieve their dreams while soliciting the cooperation of the stakeholders towards the success of the programme in the State.
Mrs. Adefisayo, represented by Mrs. Ayopeju Njideaka, stated that the idea behind the Comprehensive Schools is to provide secondary school education with vocational skills training embedded in general school classes, explaining that the students will now have four options – Commercial, Art, Science and Vocational Studies – to choose from.
She also disclosed that professional vocational trainers with 21st Century skills would be employed, in view of the need to create a new generation of technical experts for the Lagos Vision.
Chairman of the Parents Forum, Lagos City Senior College, Mr. Muritala Jamiu, applauded the Government’s initiative, just as he described the programme as vital to helping parents realise their children’s dreams by creating a better future for the students.
Other dignitaries at the programme include retired TG/PS Education District V, Mr. Olumide Erinle; Head of Department Education, Lagos Mainland, Mr. Tajudeen Salami and Chief Idowu Akinsemoyin (Asipa of Lagos Mainland), among others.
OA/QI/TMS/OS
