.to inaugurate 16 blocks of classrooms on Wednesday

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government has said that 4,000 new public classrooms both in primary and secondary schools have been built and renovated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since the assumption of his administration in 2019.

The Chairman, Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, SCRPS, Hakeem Smith, disclosed this on Tuesday, at a media briefing on achievements of the committee under the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja.

Meanwhile, from tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu will flag-off the official commissioning of 16 blocks of classrooms in some of public schools spread across the six education districts in the state such as; Keme Balogun School in Ibeshe Ikorodu with a drive through and commissioning of Ajegunle Junior in kosofe.

SCRPS was re-inaugurated in November 4, 2019 by the governor Sanwo-Olu, to address the decay in infrastructure in Lagos public schools.

The committee was originally created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2004 when he was then the Executive Governor of Lagos State.

It was established as an intervention body to address the numerous decays in infrastructure in Lagos public schools. This was continued by the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN but collapsed into the ministry of education by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration.

After few months in office, and seeing the state of the schools infrastructure, Sanwo-Olu re-inaugurated SCRPS to continue the public school’s infrastructural renewal drive with a clear terms of reference;, rehabilitation of dilapidated structures in Lagos public schools, construction of new classroom blocks where there are shortfalls of classrooms in the public schools, construction of recreational facilities in schools with land availability, provision of principals, teachers and student’s furniture.

Rehabilitation and new construction m projects

According to Smith: “Since inauguration, SCRPS has been able to rehabilitate 386 blocks of classrooms in both primary and secondary schools in Lagos state. This rehabilitation work is spread across the six education districts in the state. “About 1,290 classrooms blocks have been constructed across the six education districts of the state, while a lot of work is currently on going numbering about 4,000.

“Our new construction projects are functionally designed, well orientated to ensure adequate natural light penetration and ventilation and well finished to ensure durability with the choice of materials.

“The buildings are concrete framed structures, with vertical movement (staircase) at the ends. There are also provisions of adequate toilet facilities for students and teachers with water provision from public mains/boreholes.

“The schools rehabilitation project had addressed dilapidation in our schools transforming them into befitting educational facilities.

“Among the 386 schools rehabilitated are: Renovation of King Ado Junior and Senior High School, Isale Eko Junior /Senior Grammar School in Lagos.

“Rehabilitation of 18 classrooms block at Cherubim and Saraphine Nursery and Primary school 1 Owutu, Ikorodu and Renovation of existing L-Shape 18 classrooms, Fence work and construction of 10 toilet block

“Renovation of a classroom blocks at Pastor Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School, Alapere Ketu, Renovation of Iganmu Junior High School, Iganmu.

“Sanya Junior Grammar School, Sanya Surulere, Renovation of 18 classroom blocks at Army Cantonment Boys Junior and Senior Secondary School, Ojo Barracks, Renovation of 18 classroom blocks at Ojo Junior and Senior High School Agric, Ojo Lagos, St.Peter Primary School Ikeja, Okota Junior Grammar School – Okota School, among others.

“We are not resting on our oars as more schools will be wearing new looks in no distant time.”

He added that the modular classroom construction like the Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege, commissioned by Mr. Governor three years ago was being replicated at Girls Junior Secondary School, Lalupon in Ikoyi, Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Obanikoro and Ogba Junior Secondary School.

According to Smith: “They are at various stages of completion. We have adopted modular construction, an innovative approach to building schools to ensure speed of construction, reduce the budget, better quality control and re-useability with the use of containers.

“However, the objective was to create a technology-driven teaching and learning environment. When people hear the word “modular” what comes to mind is constructing classrooms with containers.

“But that’s not the primary objective. Rather, we are incorporating cutting-edge technology to enhance the learning experience. The innovative approach aims to provide faster and more efficient ways to construct schools while promoting quality education.

“In the past, traditional teaching tools like blackboards, whiteboards and markers were the norm. Now, we have introduced interactive screens, enabling teachers to use digital tools while students learn with their iPads or phones.

“This technology allows students to continue learning outside the classrooms, making education more accessible and convenient. To support this initiative, teachers have been trained and provided with tablets to ensure a standardized curriculum across the schools.”

On school furniture, he said that the new school furniture design approved by Mr. Governor was to ensure proper seating posture of students, with the choice of materials for durability, availability and sustainability.

“About 208,000 composite furniture that address the problem of ergonomics have been supplied to the schools. Principals and teachers’ furniture are usually supplied along with the student furniture.

“Though, a lot is still required as there are shortfalls in some schools. Be rest assured that this is being addressed continuously and hopefully get to a good balance soon,” Smith stated.

He also mentioned that about 1,592 beddings were supplied to eight model colleges, namely, Lagos State Junior Model College, Meiran with Laundromat, Badagry Junior grammar School –Male Hostel, Lagos State Model College Agbowa – Female Hostel with Laundromat, Lagos State Model College Badore-Female Hostel with Laundromat, among others.

“The older and existing hotels blocks are also being renovated in the model colleges. Some of the newly built hotel blocks have attached laundromat and a complimentary reading rooms on the upper floors, “ Smith added.

He said that during the current administration a few new schools were built in various locations due to the yearning needs of the community, such as: Elemoro Community Junior School Eti Osa LGA – Completed and in use, Musade Odugate Junior School in Oriokuta ikorodu – Completed and in use, Oke Odo Junior High School Ebute Metta– Completed and in use, among others.

Redevelopment of Tolu School Complex, Ajegunle

Reiterating the commitment of Mr. Governor to repositioning the education sector in Lagos state, Smith announced that massive construction and rehabilitation work is presently going on at the Tolu School Complex in Ajegunle.

“This project is a special project because of its peculiarity in terms of location of the schools, soil texture and high student population. Our vision is to transform Tolu school complex into BOS Education City.

“What makes Tolu School project unique is that it has 36 schools comprising, 16 senior secondary schools, 15 junior secondary schools and five primary schools with about 20,000 student’s population within the same community. This makes it an unprecedented learning community in the whole of West Africa.

“We are presently constructing 13 new classroom blocks while 24 school buildings are undergoing thorough rehabilitation. Also, we are working to ensuring adequate security and boundary definitions for the place.

“We have established four major access points with a Mega Gate and three other gates to control ingress and egress and maintain security. We’re also developing recreation facilities including a standard football pitch, a racetrack and multi-purpose courts for different outdoor games.

“Due to the large population, we are also building a Fire Station, a Health Center to address emergencies when they happen. To ensure balance and to give opportunities for all, a vocational school is also being constructed, while a zone is dedicated for the people living with disabilities (PLD), to create ease movement in and out of the building.

“We are also building a Central Science Laboratories and ICT Hub where the different students drawn from each of the schools will clock in to use the facilities. Upon completion, Tolu School Complex will become a tourist attraction, showcasing effective management and welcoming visitors from various parts of the world.”

New construction Projects

Notable construction projects completed within the second term of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration he said, includes: 18 classroom block on raft foundation at Awori Junior College, Ojo, 18 Classroom block on pad foundation at Euba Junior High School, Mushin, 18 classroom blocks on raft foundation at Idata-ilagbo Senior Secondary School, Ibeju-Lekki, 18 classroom block on raft foundation at Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, Oshodi, among others.

“From the aforementioned, it is evident that Mr. Governor is so passionate about the education sector in Lagos State and as such ensuring that, a strong foundation is laid for the next generation of Nigeria leaders,” Smith stated.