Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, said on Thursday that his government has approved the construction of perimeter fencing in various schools as part of measures to tackle the spate of kidnapping of students occurring in the state.
The disclosure came barely 24 hours after he signed into law a bill approving death penalty for kidnappers in state.
The governor disclosed this while speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of new model school building at Awori College, Ojo Local Government, assuring all parents of the continued readiness of the state government to do its best to ensure that schools in the state were safe from intruders.
“Towards this end, we have awarded contracts for the construction of eight new blocks of classrooms model school, renovation of 174 existing blocks of classrooms and construction of perimeter fence in various schools to enhance security.
“Let me assure all parents that we will continue to do our very best to ensure that our schools are safe from intruders. We have put in place measures to secure our pupils, students, teaching and non- teaching staff. Our standards are high and we will continue to make them better,” the governor said.
Speaking on the new model school, which comprises 36 classrooms, library, staff rooms, multipurpose hall, laboratories, principal/vice- principal’s offices and modern toilet facilities for both junior and senior schools, the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, also said the structure apart from its aesthetic value was capable of enhancing security of students, staff and school materials in the face of recent security breaches in schools in the state.
.Ambode stated that towards improving standard of education, 30 laboratories were constructed and 40,000 furniture’s were supplied quarterly to clear the identified shortfall of 160, 000 furniture in schools.
He noted that the reason for embarking on the projects was to build a future of great opportunities, possibilities and prosperity through the provision of qualitative education that was consistent with demands of 21st Century.
“I wish to assure all our students that our commitment is to build a future of great opportunities, possibilities and prosperity through the provision of qualitative education that is consistent with the demands of the 21 Century,” he said.
“I, therefore, enjoin you to fully embrace this opportunity by showing serious commitment to your studies and shun all negative values that will not make you realise your dreams,” the governor counselled.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Adeshina Odeyemi, said that the intervention of the present administration had yielded improvement in education sector in the state.
“We measure the success of policies and programme by the improved students’ performance outcome in the result of examination national and international competitions, improved morals, etiquette and confidence in public speaking of students,” Odeyemi said.
Also speaking, Chairman, Committee on Education, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Lanre Ogunyemi, commended Governor Ambode on the school project, describing it as a lip forward in education sector.
Ogunyemi, who acknowledged Ambode as a good manager at the helm of affairs, also commended him for doing more for education with the employment of 1,300 primary school teachers and planned employment of another 1,000 secondary school teachers, while others states were it difficult to pay their workers.
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