Lagos constructs 1,290 classrooms in six years

The Lagos State government has constructed about 1,290 classroom blocks and rehabilitated 386 blocks of classrooms in six years. This is aside from the approximately 208,000 composite pieces of furniture that address the problem of ergonomics, which have been supplied to schools.

The Chairman of the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), Mr. Hakeem Smith, disclosed this on Tuesday during a briefing to provide an update on the activities of his committee.

Smith said: “Since inauguration, SCRPS has been able to rehabilitate 386 blocks of classrooms in both primary and secondary schools in Lagos State. This rehabilitation work is spread across the six education districts in the state.

“About 1,290 classroom blocks have been constructed across the six education districts of the state, while a lot of work is currently ongoing. Our new construction projects are preceded by a good geotechnical soil investigation to ensure they are founded on the right strata.

“About 208,000 composite furniture that address the problem of ergonomics have been supplied to the schools. Principals’ and teachers’ furniture are usually supplied along with the student furniture.”

According to him, the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) was re-inaugurated on November 4, 2019, by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to address the decay in infrastructure in Lagos public schools.

He listed some of the schools that have been rehabilitated, including King Ado Junior and Senior High School, Isale Eko Junior/Senior Grammar School in Lagos, Cherubim and Seraphim Nursery and Primary School 1 Owutu, Ikorodu, Pastor Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School Alapere Ketu, and Iganmu Junior High School, Iganmu.

He promised that the committee would not rest on its oars, as more schools would be wearing new looks in no distant time.

He added that in the past, traditional teaching tools like blackboards, whiteboards, and markers were the norm, but now interactive screens have been introduced to enable teachers to use digital tools while students learn with their iPads or phones.

“This technology allows students to continue learning outside the classrooms, making education more accessible and convenient. To support this initiative, teachers have been trained and provided with tablets to ensure a standardized curriculum across the schools.

“It is also worth mentioning that about 1,592 beddings have been supplied to eight model colleges.

“The older and existing hostel blocks are also being renovated in the model colleges. Some of the newly built hostel blocks have attached laundromats and complimentary reading rooms on the upper floors.”