The Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of a large-scale school quality initiative targeting 500 non-state schools across its 20 education zones as part of ongoing education reforms.

The programme, known as the Graded Assessment Programme for Schools (GAPS), is being rolled out by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) in collaboration with the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) and implementing partner, SEED Care & Support Foundation.

Officials say the initiative aims to enhance accountability, governance, and performance standards in private education settings, including 400 registered but not-yet-approved schools and 100 fully approved institutions.

“The GAPS implementation reflects our determination to institutionalise a culture of continuous improvement and equity across all schools in Lagos,” said Mr Remi Abdul, Coordinating Director at OEQA. “We are committed to building a quality assurance system that supports and strengthens, not just supervises.”

The implementation follows a high-level two-day training held in June 2025, which equipped evaluators with tools to assess school performance using the GAPS framework. The framework enables schools to self-evaluate, identify gaps, and design practical School Improvement Plans (SIPs).

Mr Ajibade Gbadebo Taofik, Director of the OEQA Quality Assurance Department, said the initiative marks a turning point in supporting private education. “We’re not just assessing—we’re mentoring and investing in improvement,” he said.

Evaluators are scheduled to begin visiting schools on 10 July. The government has urged full cooperation from school owners, teachers, and parents, stressing that the exercise is not punitive but collaborative.

“This is not an inspection,” said Mrs Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Executive Director of SEED Care & Support Foundation. “The GAPS tool is not a stick but a support system. By telling the truth about where they are, schools position themselves for the help they truly need.”

According to the OEQA, the assessment will help schools access technical support, align with global benchmarks, and build trust within communities. Outcomes will be data-driven and are expected to feed into state-wide education planning.

As part of its broader vision, Lagos State plans to share results and lessons learned with neighbouring states—Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Ondo—through a regional peer learning exchange.

A virtual onboarding session for selected school owners is scheduled for 8 July, ahead of the evaluation kick-off on 10 July.

Lagos is the first state in the South-West to introduce the GAPS framework, reinforcing its leadership in education reform. Authorities say the programme underscores their commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of school type, receives a quality education.