As part of his administration’s commitment to quality and functional education across the state, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwuni Ambode today inaugurated a newly constructed block of 20 classrooms at the Anglican Primary School, Isawo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the new Girls junior Model College, Agunfoye in Igbogbo LCDA both in Ikorodu Administrative Division of the state.
Governor Ambode stated that his administration has continued to give top priority to education and invest heavily in the sector because of the need to make qualitative education available and accessible to every child of school age living in the state.
The governor who was represented at the two events by his deputy Dr Oluranti Adebule noted that his administration’s investment in the future of the children through strategic reforms and planning in the education sector aimed at ensuring that the potentials of the children from the state to compare favourably with their peers from other parts of the world are assured.
‘’ We have invested in the future of our children through strategic reforms and planning in the education sector to ensure that the potentials of our children to compare favourably with their peers globally are assured. Our resolve as a government to make education our priority and continue to invest in this sector is premised on the need to make qualitative education available and accessible to every child of school age living in our dear state’’ Ambode stated.
Governor Ambode while welcoming pupils and students back to their schools after the break, stated that various rehabilitations and construction of new blocks of classrooms embarked upon by his administration is geared towards providing conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in all the public schools in the state, assuring that the projects would continue until when government is fully satisfied that all schools have become centres of academic excellence in line with the vision of the founding fathers of the state.
‘’ This process will continue until we are satisfied that our schools have become centers of academic excellence comparable to those in other model -city states across the world , this commitment was aptly demonstrated in our 2018 appropriation Bill which has been christened (Budget of Progress and Development)’’ the governor stated.
Ambode while assuring that his administration would continue to invest in capacity development of the schools personnel to further move the education forward noted that the duty of ensuring the protection and maintenance of public infrastructure in the state is a shared responsibility between the government and all the stakeholders.
He therefore called on teachers, various community leaders, traditional rulers and members of various Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Councils (CDCs)and others to help government to guide, protect and ensure that the two new schools are put to optimal use
With the inauguration of the new Girls Junior Model College at Agunfoye in Igbogbo , the governor disclosed that the number of existing Model Colleges in the state have increased to sixteen, two of which are mainly girls college, while there are generally thirty one boarding schools across the state.
The two new schools are enriched with the state of the arts learning facilities like libraries, highly equipped ICT centres, laboratories, spacious classrooms and offices .
In her welcome address at the commissioning of the Lagos State Girls Junior Model College, Igbogbo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye while commending the Governor for his passion and commitment to the provision of qualitative education stated that the facilities and environment where the school is located contributed positively to the knowledge imparted by the teachers and assimilation by the students.
“I am confident that, anyone who feels for the masses would realize the need to provide level playing ground for all children to pursue their dreams without being encumbered by their places and circumstances of birth and will be proud to associate with this new school”
She explained that the newly built school with 9 standard classrooms, a library, 2 laboratories, 2 hostel blocks, I dining hall and 2 staff quarters was constructed by Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and handed over to the State Government, while the school commenced academic activities in September, 2017.
The inauguration was well attended by the Tutor- General/ Permanent Secretaries in all the six Educational Districts, traditional rulers, other top government functionaries, community leaders , Members of various Community Development Associations, (CDAs), Community Development Councils( CDCs) among other dignitaries.