Lagos issues 2-week ultimatum to private schools to register

Ambode

The Lagos State Government has given a two-week ultimatum to all proprietors of private schools in the state irrespective of their accreditation status to register their educational institutions at the education district within their area of operation or face being sanctioned.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, on Tuesday, the Deputy Governor and General Officer Commanding, Education, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said the state-wide registration of private schools, is aimed at having an accurate number of private schools and the number of teachers and students within, so as to adequately plan and cater for them.
According to Adebule, the registration process, which will be open for two weeks, is free of charge and not aimed at generating revenue or taxation.
She said: "In line with the pursuit of the state government to ensure the delivery of high quality education to all pupils in the state, it has become imperative to direct all proprietors of private schools in the state, irrespective of their accreditation status, to register their educational institutions at the education district within their area of operation within the next two weeks.
"It is important to note that this exercise is free, it is neither aimed at generating revenue nor taxation. It is inclined towards knowing the education service providers, visit them and monitor what they are doing to ensure that it is in line with the quality assurance regulation of schools below tertiary level, with a view to improving learning outcomes."
On sanctions for would be defaulters, the GOC Education said, "I must warn that should any school refuse to register, it will be deemed to harbour ulterior motives and our enforcement agents will sanction them appropriately."
Continuing on the benefits of the registration, Adebule said; "This administration places high premium on the education of our children, irrespective of whether they are in private or public schools. Thus, we have to ensure that the learning environment is conducive; the curricular and co-curricular activities are such that are in tandem with the vision of the State for the future of the pupils.
"The government owes responsibility to all pupils and students whether in public or private schools, accredited or yet to be approved, to ensure that they are not half baked. It has set the pace by upgrading the infrastructure in our schools and injecting fresh teachers at the secondary and primary levels.
“We want this reform and transformation to happen to private schools. This process is designed to eliminate touts and middle men who exploit them and make the accreditation process cumbersome"