LEAMSP proffers solution to factors affecting development of Muslim schools

Elects new executives
The Lagos State Chapter of League of Muslim School Proprietors (LEAMSP) has urged Lagos State government to review school approval process to enable more private schools get approved.

The association lamented the minimum requirement of a plot of land before a school can be approved, saying most school owners cannot afford the price of a plot of land presently in Lagos.

Speaking during the association’s triennial electoral conference, the Chairman LEAMSP, Lagos Chapter, Alhaji Fatai Babatunde Rahim urged Lagos State Government to establish an educational bank where private school owners can take non-interest loans to develop their schools.

“Muslim school proprietors need to come together and generate revenue together since there is no opportunity for non-interest loan.”

He said that the conference is to review the activities of the association in the last six years and also appoint new executives who will pilot the affairs of the association in the next three years.

Rahim added that at inception, the association commenced with less than 20 schools but today more than a thousand have joined in Lagos and over ten thousand schools in the country.

“When we started we had just about 20 schools approved by the government but today more than 200 schools have been approved through the association. Today LEAMPS is present in 20 Local Government Area, we started with just one local government, Agege and today we have members in 20 local governments.”

He urged the incoming executives to dedicate themselves to promoting unity in the association and ensure more Muslim schools get government approval.

“The incoming executives have a lot of challenges and part of it is to increase the number of approved Muslim schools in Lagos State and ensure the association cooperative is running smoothly so that members can have access to non interest loan.”

The guest lecturer, Chief Imam of Lagos State House of Assemble Mosque, Dr. Abdulateef Abdulhakeem, advised school proprietors to develop their competencies and capacities and as well employed well-equipped teachers.

“ School proprietors need to develop their education, experience and exposure because you cannot give what you don’t have. They must endeavour to acquire necessary academic qualifications to ensure that their schools are of standard.

“ Teacher recruitment must be based on merit, Schools must ensure that in their recruitment exercise nepotism is not allowed to displace meritocracy.”

He urged Muslim school proprietors to see their challenges as opportunity and those that are yet to join the vibrant association should join to leverage the experiences of members to get their school approved.

“ Muslim parents must begin to trust Muslim school, understanding they are major stake holders. Unless they trust the school and start patronising them and paying their school fee as at when due, that is when Muslim school can develop.

“Looking at what is happening in the society today, Muslim school are on the rescue mission to reorientate children to be great leaders in the future. The society is made up of bad eggs and criminals, we need to return to the factory incubating system, where good children can be developed because many parents have neglected their roles.”

The National President, League of Muslim School Proprietors World Wide, Alhaji AbdulWahid Obalakun , advised government to invest in education in terms of infrastructure, human development, manpower, content and monitoring.

“Government needs to pay attention to the area of morals, it should not be just an academic exercise for students to pass. In fact, if possible, moral education should not be removed from examination.”

The elected eleven-member expected to run the affairs of the association for three years (2021/2024) are:

Chairman, Monsur Yaqeen; Vice Chairman (Inspectorate), Nurudeen Omotosho; Vice Chairman (R&SD),Zaenab Ahmad-Taiwo and Secretary, Rasheedah Olowonisaye.

Others: Ass. Secretary, AbdulHafeez Animashaun; Financial Secretary, Moshood Sodiq; IPO, Habeeb Atata; Auditor, Jeleel Ogunwale; Welfare, Monsur Kilanse; Ex officio one, Alhaji Fatai B. Raheem and Ex officio Two, Jamiu Bello