Dec. 23, 2021

… Engages Public-Private Stakeholders for Partnership on Implementation

The Lagos State Government has revealed plans to establish comprehensive schools that will provide a suitable career path for students based on their profile of intelligence, intellectual and skill competence.

Disclosing this at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with public/private institutions and individual stakeholders at Workforce Group, the Zone, Gbagada, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, stated that the essence of establishing comprehensive schools is to produce students, who can fit into the workplace requirements, explaining that it is a fit for a purpose education plan that will provide opportunities for employment and a path to entrepreneurship.

Mrs. Adefisayo, who joined the event virtually, explained that the initiative will give the students opportunities to maximise either academics or vocation/skills acquisition with a view to reducing the increased rate of school dropout and actively engaging the students in their various skills of interest.

According to her, the additional knowledge gained will positively give the students a veritable source of living while still in school and encourage them to be employers of labour.

The Commissioner informed the stakeholders that the forum was organised to brief them on the plans of the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu led administration in turning around education through the establishment of Comprehensive Schools and to solicit their views, opinions and support towards actualising the vision.

“The engagement with the various stakeholders is also expected to collate manpower needs of private organisations and how students of the proposed comprehensive schools can add value to these organisations to reduce the rate of unemployment in the State”.

The Commissioner, therefore, solicited the active partnership and involvement of all Public-Private Stakeholders, emphasising that the plan of the State Government is to kick-start the project in the coming year in line with the directive of Mr. Governor.

Also speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Solape Hammond expressed the significance of introducing comprehensive schools as some students have a pathway in academic pursuit while others are more interested in vocational skills acquisition.

Mrs. Hammond opined that vocational schools are the bedrock of the construction, manufacturing, digital/technology world, noting that it is a clear pathway for creating jobs and filling the gaps of production in the country.

The Executive Director, Lagos Business School Enterprise Development Centre, Mr. Peter Bamkole, who is also the Chairman, Advisory Committee, Lagos State Comprehensive School Programme analysed the subject categories for students as Agriculture, Tech/Digital Skills, Beauty/Events, Building/Construction, Media/Entertainment, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Communication and other areas.

He also outlined the key success factors towards achieving the project including proficient counselling, community engagement, industry involvement and excellent execution.

Also commending the State Government’s proactive measures in securing a better future for the students, Senior Pastor, Trinity House and Chancellor, WellSpring University, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, maintained that through the initiative, government will get the best out of the students and turn out people fit for purpose as they can practice various skills.

The meeting had a cross-section of top government functionaries comprising the Body of Permanent Secretaries and Tutor-Generals, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Captains of Industry and private sector stakeholders.