…says at least 12 private schools shut in 1yr

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government has commenced investigation into the allegation against an Indian Language School, Ilupeju, Lagos, which purely admits children of Indian nationals.

The state government stressed that it might shut the foreign school if found wanting by the investigating team already set up.

Meanwhile, the state government said at least 12 private schools were shut in the state over various infractions within one year in the state.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, made the remarks on Thursday, during the Ministerial Briefing on the first year anniversary of the second term of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Alli-Balogun while answering a question bordering on the matter already in the media, stressed that the state government might wield the big stick against the Indian school in Ilupeju where Nigerian children are denied admission based on the fact of not being Indian Nationals.

According to him; “Officials of the state Ministry of Education have visited the school and investigation is being deepened to ascertain the veracity of the report.

“I can assure you that an appropriate action will be taken against the school if the investigation team found the school wanting.

“At the end of our investigation, if the school is found culpable, it would be shut down.”

Alli-Balogun, maintained that denying any child admission into any school runs contrary to the Child Rights Act which the Lagos State Government has domesticated.

“No school has the right to deny admission to any child, in Lagos,” Alli-Balogun stressed.

Also, the state government said at least 12 private schools in the state were shut between year 2023 till date for various infractions.

According to Alli-Balogun, the schools were shut for violating basic education standards and safety rules.

He said, “At least 12 schools have been shut in Lagos for various offences in the year under review.

“In January 2024 alone four schools were shut for safety infraction and Illegal operations.

“We usually do not seal during school session. We only seal while the schools are on recess so as not to disrupt academic work.

“And this is done after profiling of the school and approval by the commissioner before we move into operation.”

Vanguard News Nigeria