By Tope Musowo
Lagos
Public office holders would soon be involved in the renovation of public schools in Lagos state under a project tagged; ‘Adopt-a-School Project,’ to ensure effective study amongst the students.
This, according to the chairman of the Lagos state House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, the project is a way of assisting the government to develop the education sector in the state.
Speaking during the inspection of some schools, Ogunyemi emphasised that the government of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was trying its best to develop the sector even with limited resources.
The schools visited included Agidingbi Junior and Senior Grammar School, Ojodu Junior and Senior High School as well as Ojodu Junior and Senior Grammar School.
“Our committee is contemplating asking those of us in government to adopt a school each under ‘Adopt a School Project,’ where each member of the state House of Assembly and other public office holders could adopt a school and say ‘what can I do for the school as a member of cabinet of the state.’ We all must live by examples,” he said.
The lawmaker added that philanthropists and public spirited individuals, some of whom have children in public schools, have assisted in donating items to schools in the state.
Ogunyemi added that parents, who are so privileged, and who have the capacity and the wherewithal to do so should not hesitate, and enjoined everyone to come together to salvage education in the state, saying that the government could not do everything.
He, however, lamented that the committee discovered some dilapidated structures in some schools assured that they would get across to the state government.
“We told the principals and teachers of the schools that they should continue to think out of the box and increase their ingenuity to make what is possible to be possible.
“Whatever the constraints are, the government would try as much as possible to do its best. The budget of the education in the state has increased in the last two or three years from 12 to about 17 per cent this year.
“This is a plus for the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Also, in the last eight weeks, the government has rehabilitated some of our schools, and the government is doing its best for the sector. The legislature would continue to partner with the state government to get the best for education in Lagos State,” he said.
Ogunyemi explained that security is one major issue in the schools, but that funds are needed to adequately protect the schools.
“We saw what is happening at Agidingbi Junior Grammar School. We would continue to ask for intervention from private individuals and public spirited individuals because the government cannot do it alone”.
