Kunle ADELABU
-Pledges legislative intervention to address deficit in the divisional education sector
Following the pictures of the state of some schools in Ikorodu which went viral on social media few days ago, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I and the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, visited three schools in two councils in Ikorodu Constituency I.
The controversial picture of the sorry state of a particular Secondary School in Ikorodu, which elicited serious discourse on many social media platform related to Ikorodu, was posted by Comrade Hameed Ganiu, a former official of the National Association of Ikorodu Division Students (NAIDS).
The discourse generated lots of reactions from residents of Ikorodu most of who condemned the state of most schools in Ikorodu division and called on the state government to redress the deficits.
The three schools visited were Ipakodo Junior High School in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), United Junior High school in Ikorodu Central Local Government and Ayangbure Junior High School also in Ikorodu Central LG.
On the inspection tour, which the lawmaker described as a fact-finding tour, were Hameed Ganiu, the whistle blower and the Publisher of The Impact Newspaper and Chief Administrator of The Impact Newspaper Whatsap Discourse Platform, Kunle Adelabu, on whose platform the pictures generated most reactions from the public.
Speaking with THE IMPACT during the tour, Hon. Agunbiade stated that the visit is a continuation of his tour of schools in Ikorodu Constituency I, adding that the pictures posted by the whistle blower served as impetus for his oversight function.
He enjoined other residents and electorate to cultivate the habit of continually engaging their representatives and calling their attentions to issues that needed to be addressed while appreciating Comrade Hameed for the disclosure.
In his discussion with the Principals of the schools visited, Hon. Agunbiade revealed that his mission was to find out the state of the schools in his constituency in order to help him perform his legislative oversight function effectively.
After seeing the pitiable conditions in which the students are receiving lectures and writing exams, Hon. Agunbiade requested that the principals should itemize their school needs to the Deputy Governor of the state and copy him for legislative backing.
Major findings in all the three schools visited are over-crowded classrooms due to lack of classrooms and lack of desk and chairs for students.
He assured that he would do his best to ensure that students are tutored in a comfortable environment.
“My mission here is to identify with you; commend you for taking good care of our future leaders and most importantly, perform my oversight function in being abreast of your challenges and needs” ,Hon. Agunbiade revealed.
“What I found out was that most of our school administrators do not know how to make use of their representatives. I could understand their fear as a civil servant but you cannot hide from me as your representative. You need to continually bring your problems to me and other representatives because you are caring for our children”, he challenged the Principals.
“In actual fact, you should see me as an ally, friend and partner because I taught Biology and … for five years at Ikorodu High School. I was among those who fought that only teachers and no other person must control and dominate the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). I was part of you and still part of the system”, Hon. Agunbiade stated while recounting his days as a teacher.
“When you copy me (my office) on your requests and demands on the state government, it gives such a force because I’m your representatives. Most importantly, you are caring for our children and as a parent and representative, I care about this. I want you to continually challenge me and engage me regarding the state of our schools”, he pleaded.
“We have a responsive and responsible governor and cabinet in Lagos State and I can assure you that if our matter concerning education is appropriately presented, the governor would respond positively”, he assured.
Mr Yewanto, the Principal of Ipakodo High school, speaking during the visit, appreciated Hon. Agunbiade’s visit and pleaded with him to assist the school in the areas of its needs.
The principal, who stated that he has been liaising with relevant educational agencies, listed classrooms, offices, benches and tables among other facilities needed by the school.
Mrs Akinsete Anthony Olufemi, Principal of United Junior High School, Ikorodu, in her own submission highlighted her efforts in making sure that the school system comply with the state government’s policy.
Mr Arowolo Oljide, Principal of Ayangbure Junior Secondary School, Ikorodu, thanked the lawmaker for his intervention when they needed benches and tables, adding that about three secondary schools in Ikorodu Central LG and Ikorodu West LCDA benefitted from the gesture.
Meanwhile, THE IMPACT gathered that United High Junior High and Ayangbure High Junior Schools have the population of 2,030 and 2000 students respectively.
Both schools are also allocated four classrooms each inside Oga/Methodist/Ayangbure primary school premises due to lack of classroom spaces.
Principals of United and Ayangbure Junior High Schools listed lack of classrooms, furniture, toilets, fans, computer sets, tables and rehabilitation of the collapsed school hall and water system as dire needs of the schools.
