Lagos poised to improve students’ performance in external examinations

Adopts new design for school buildings
The need to radically improve Lagos State students’ performance in external examinations, including the ones organised by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO), was one of the items that topped the agenda as the state government rolled out its strategic plan for the sector.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who also supervises the Education Ministry, noted the compelling need for efforts to be redoubled in order improve on the present 37 per cent pass rate.

According to her, this and many other reasons informed the government’s resolve to improve existing and erect modern learning facilities that would facilitate the task of transforming teaching and learning, which will hopefully reflect on the students performance in external examinations.

She said, “We are determined to provide enriched educational experience for our students through the provision of quality standards. There would also be a deliberate attempt to improve on pass rate for Lagos State students at the WAEC and NECO examinations from the present 37 per cent.

“We are aware that majority of the public secondary schools in the state lack essential amenities such as water, electricity and toilet facilities, thus the need for the state government to provide and also ensure safety and friendly environment for learning in our schools.”

She said the adoption of “Ibile School Building,” a multi-purpose structure that will accommodate population growth of students and attendant infrastructure gaps in the learning environment was one of the steps to actualise this. Adebule, who recently unveiled the plan explained that the adopted Ibile school building comprised 18 classrooms with provisions for art room, applied technology room, administration and counseling office, mechanical room, physical education room, resource/special education room, restrooms and science facilities and laboratories and appurtenances of 21st century educational facilities.

Adebule, who also reiterated the state government’s resolve to ensure that the activities of private schools were in line with set standards/regulations of the ministry, assured that all levels of education in the state would benefit from an aggressive provision of classrooms, laboratories, furniture, and other required amenities that would enable them function properly, just as spreading the facilities would be ensured especially at the primary and secondary levels.

With the recognition of the impact of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) in productivity and economic development of the state, she informed that the government was committed to increasing the number of technical schools; review their curriculum; and promote effective teaching.

On his part, the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh said under the new plan, emphasis would be on pedagogy of excellence, appropriate teaching methods and approaches, learning resources and instructional materials.

While adding that the process of recruiting 1, 300 primary schools teachers into the school system was almost completed, he added that teachers’ professional training and skills development would also be intensified.