Emmanuel Edukugho
4 December 2008
Proprietors of private primary and secondary schools in Lagos State have reached accord with government on restructuring to check proliferation of sub-standard schools which caused their closure recently.
Pastor Joseph O. Ejenavi, National President, Association for Formidable Educational Development
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State
(AFED) disclosed at a press briefing in Lagos, that proposals to reposition private schools have been submitted to the Lagos State government.
"The government has given us go ahead. We are not resting on our oars. We've been working relentlessly to do those things we want to do. AFED has sourced funds for proprietors of private schools to restructure. Quite a large number of them have responded and taken loans to develop their schools."
He explained the nature of the restructuring which has been classified into three.
There will be a merger of schools coming together, pooling their resources to form big schools. Before now, there had been many schools - operating creche, nursery, primary, junior and senior secondary schools, all in one place.
Ejenavi said that "as a result of the restructuring exercise, schools are now to specialise, and you can hardly find a school running all together."
He added: "Now, you have to specialise in one area, either nursery, primary, creche or secondary. With this, adequate funds will be available to enable proprietors attain required standards."
The AFED leader revealed that some banks have given loans to private school owners to rehabilitate and refurbished their schools. "We've written letters to schools located in mosques, churches, wooden stores, pre-fabs telling them about plans to restructure and also we've been monitoring the situation."
He pointed out that those schools in shanties have been reached to ensure that they improve on their facilities and meet stipulated standards set by government.
"It is encouraging so far, judging from what we've seen. There had been tremendous face lift in the schools. It is peaceful, not chaotic, as they are obeying the advice given to them."
He disclosed that twenty units of schools have already merged in Lagos State. Government has been watching development since one year now, and out to see the level of compliance with the guidelines.
Proprietors are expected to take advantage of the credit facilities being provided by some banks to upgrade infrastructure.
"AFED is working closely with government which has shown cooperation. We've helped to get funds from banks for school proprietors who are ready to develop. We are not for stagnation but to bring up sub-standard schools to meet required standards," Ejenavi explained.
Some proprietors got N4 million, others N2.5 million for rehabilitation and refurbishment and government is aware of this.
"We will send a comprehensive report to government on this exercise. If you refuse to come for the loan, then you are on your own. We can't force them. When government comes around to see what is happening, we will tell them that those still operating sub-standard schools are not supporting our initiatives."
The AFED president pleaded with government to endure since we asked for two years and some significant progress have been made so far. Shanty schools have been told to relocate or quit.
International assistance is also coming to AFED. World bodies such as Singapore Education Trust Fund, Ghana International Finance Corporation are providing assistance to private schools in Lagos.
At Makoko, Yaba, a computer learning centre for children has been set up as a pilot project out of the seven promised by international organizations. Called Hole-in-the-wall learning station for children, it is sponsored by Williams Family Charitable Trust in association with Newcastle University, UK.
ocated at Ken-Ade Private School, Apollo Street, Makoko, children go there to learn how to operate computer, access internet and download, whipping their interest in science and technology.
Said Mr. Ayeseteminikan Bawo, who is in charge of the centre: "The computer systems here are solar powered. Children come from everywhere, not less than 50 in a day. They can be on their own, so no need for supervision. No restriction and it is free."
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