Posted by By Olasunkanmi Akoni on
THE Lagos State Government has earmarked the sum of N4 billion for the rehabilitation of dilapidated public schools in state just.....
THE Lagos State Government has earmarked the sum of N4 billion for the rehabilitation of dilapidated public schools in state just as it said it has spent so far the sum of N2.2 billion for the rehabilitation of such schools in the last two years.
The state government, through the chairman of the Special Committee for Rehabilitation of Public Schools in the state, Mr. Dele Onabokun, disclosed this to newsmen in his office, during a media briefing on achievements and a highlights on planned tour of the on-going projects in Phase III
The N4 billion was said to have been earmarked in the year 2006 budget for the rehabilitation project in the fourth phase of the project which is expected to be completed before the expiration of the current financial year.
The Special Committee was inaugurated in August 2004 to address decay in infrastructure in public schools in the state.
According to him, Governor Bola Tinubu hold education in high esteem and sees it as a bed-rock of any nation to develop her human, economic and social potentials.
Mr. Onabokun explained that the initial compilation of bad schools were obtained from the state Ministry of Education and State Primary Education Board (SPEB) now SUBEB. Adding that the committee later embarked on tour of those schools to establish their status. The needs of these Schools were then identified, evaluated and compiled for implementation.
His words: 'At the inception of this committee, respective stakeholders were identified and the committee established relationship with them, like already, the committee has completed Phases I and II of the rehabilitation projects and the third phase is about 90 percent completed. The Fourth phase will commence very soon.
' So far, about N2.2 Billion has been expended on these projects. By virtue of the importance Lagos State Government attaches to the projects, a sum of N4 Billion was provided in the year 2006 Budget to tackle these problems and we are optimistic that the committee will complete all the projects earmarked for execution before the expiration of this financial year.
The Lagos State government has recorded tremendous success in the development of schools infrastructural facilities. The committee has accomplished among others: the erection of 60 new structures for both Primary and Secondary Schools; completion of 11 abandoned three storey 17+1 Blocks, rehabilitation of 55 buildings, provision of 11 No Laboratory furniture and fittings, perimeter fencing; Dinning Halls; 3076 No dual desk and table and toilet buildings."
According to Mr. Onabokun, till date, there are 593 public secondary schools with a population of about 630,000 students occupying 8,300 classrooms. Out of this 8300 classrooms about 3,000 classrooms are functional 'With the situation on ground of about 100/students/classrooms ratio, we need to rehabilitate 5,000 classrooms to create conducive environment for learning. However, in order to attain the UNESCO standards of 50:1, we need to construct additional 4,000 classrooms, thereby, providing over 12,000 classrooms. 'Presently, at the completion of Phases I, II, and III projects, the committee would have added about 700 new classrooms and rehabilitated about 50 old classrooms. Target of this committee before the expiration of this administration is to have accomplished the provision of about 2000 new classrooms and rehabilitation of 2,500 old classrooms.
He therefore seized the occasion to call on private sectors on the need to participate in funding construction of infrastructures in public schools saying government could not do it alone
'I wish to acknowledge and show appreciation to Kessington Adebukola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF) for financing the construction of a block of six classrooms with offices toilet facilities, borehole, desk/chairs for students, furniture for Teachers as well as fencing at Gaskia Senior Secondary School, Ijora in Lagos at a total cost of N23 Million.