The Chief Executive Officer of the Fundamental Right to Education Support (FRES) Foundation, Michael Kayode Ojo, has advocated for increased funding for the child’s education.
He also called for better government intervention in the area of infrastructure development with a well-equipped library situated in a conducive learning environment.
Ojo made the call at an event tagged Children’s Day Event and Award Celebration, held to reward excellence in education on Children’s Day, May 27, in Lagos on Monday.
The event had over 100 pupils from ten private schools competing for prizes in indoor games, talk shows, talent hunts, and award presentations.
In his remarks, Ojo said, “Today, we are celebrating the children. This is part of the activities with which we celebrate excellence in education among children. It is aimed at encouraging them. This is the third edition.
“Prior to this, there was an essay competition where schools, both private and public, from the 57 local government areas in Lagos State participated in an essay competition and were rewarded accordingly.
“We have identified poor parenting as one major factor militating against quality education for children. For us, we have been trying to engage parents on how they could intervene in their children’s education.
“I want to encourage parents to put more effort into educating these children. Also, for the government, we are in partnership with LASUBEB. We have been engaging them.
“I commend the Lagos State government on its giant stride in the education sector. I encourage other states to emulate Lagos State government but there is still more to be done to ensure that children are adequately educated.
“We want the government to invest more in terms of infrastructure and funding for education because it is important for schools to have a well-equipped library and a conducive environment for learning.
“Many of the private schools around do not have the capacity to do this. This is where the government comes in. They should make sure that education is put on a proper spectrum.”
The programme facilitator, Pastor Babatunde Smith, said the event is an education centre award for the children.
He said, “It is an investment for the education of the children. He urged parents to open an account to fund the education of the children.”
The event co-sponsor, Miss Sarah Akerele of the Treasure Kids Foundation, said the event is also about rewarding parents for excellence in the discharge of parental roles and creating awareness of the educational needs of special children.
She added, “The Treasure Kids Foundation is an organisation that is focused on the needs of special children. We are concerned about children with congenital disorders in society.
“We do this by creating awareness, providing education, and advocating for the special needs of these children.
We are here today to celebrate our children’s special day and to reward them for excellence in learning. Education is a challenge for special needs children due to their peculiar challenges, hence our decision to reward excellence in education.
One major challenge is a lack of awareness and proper education for special needs children. Special education is nothing like conventional education.
“It is not easy for special children to get an adequate education, and that is the gap we stand to bridge at Treasure Kids.”
The highlight of the event is the presentation of cash gifts, certification of participation, and educational materials to participating schools, pupils in both the primary and secondary categories, as well as some deserving parents.
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