Lagos – The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, on Tuesday directed owners of private schools in the state to register with the state’s Ministry of Education within two weeks or face sanction.

Adebule, who gave the two-week ultimatum while briefing newsmen in Lagos, said that the registration was aimed at opening a data base for private schools in the state and ensure adequate monitoring of their operations.

“Improved education is one of the main focus of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration and we cannot plan properly for private schools without data.

“We recognise the role of the private schools. They are partners of the government as they help provide access to education for our children in the state.

“But as a government, we need to know how many of these private schools are operating in the state and how many students are under their care so we can monitor their activities and plan properly for them.

“The ministry of education has been on this issue for a while and we are opening another window of opportunity. They have two weeks to register or face sanction, ‘’ she said.

Adebule said that a Registration Desk had been established in the six Education Districts and registration would commence on Wednesday, July 27 to Aug. 10.

She said the registration was for both approved and unapproved private schools.

Adebule said that Gov. Ambode-led administration was poised to upgrade the education system as he had approved the recruitment of 1,000 teachers who would resume by next session to tackle the problem of lack of teachers in the state’s public schools.

“The Governor has also approved funds for the massive renovation and construction of new schools in the state to expand access to education and enable students learn under the best learning atmosphere.

‘“Also, over 3,000 teachers would undergo one form of training or the other to enable them deliver efficiently and mould the country’s future leaders, ” Adebule said.