Kunle Adelabu
-Parleys LSUBEB on infrastructural development
In its efforts to achieve some of its set objectives in ensuring public schools in Ikorodu Division attain high performance level, the Ikorodu Division Human Resources Development Board (IDHRDB) has called for development of infrastructures in schools across the division.
Eminent members of the Board, led by its Chairman, Emeritus Prof. (Chief) Kunle Ade Wahab, took the campaign to the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) last week when they paid a courtesy visit.
The Board called for urgent government’s attention in addressing infrastructural challenges in most Junior Secondary Schools across the Division, while also seeking government’s approval to tour primary schools.
Ikorodu Division Human Resources Development Board (IDHRDB) is an arm of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), formed to develop human and resources in the Division, with focus on education.
Prof. Wahab, while presenting the position of the Board during the meeting with the LSUBEB Chairman, Hon. Wahab Olawale Alawiye – King, and the Board members at the LSUBEB Office in Maryland, Lagos, stated that the Group has identified two schools in the two constituencies of the Division for infrastructural upgrading.
“As part of our efforts to support the government, the Group, through IDHRDB, proposed to contribute to the infrastructural development of two schools selected from each constituency in Ikorodu Division – United Junior High School, Ikorodu (Constituency I) and Luwasa High School, Ijede (Constituency II).
While commending the state government’s effort in developing education in the state, especially for the construction of new facility in Ipakodo Junior Grammar School, Prof. Wahab also stated that the Group observed that there are inadequate classrooms and insufficient facilities in Junior Secondary Schools across Ikorodu Division as revealed by the Group’s tour recently.
“We commend the present Lagos State administration for its education developmental programmes for the State and the Division. We appreciate most especially the recent approval of infrastructural upgrading for Ipakodo Junior Grammar School, Ipakodo, Ikorodu.
“We wish to inform the Board our observations during our last fact-finding visitations carried out in Junior Secondary Schools in the Division. The following were noted amongst others.
According to him, “There are inadequate classrooms for students (average of 150 students per class); inadequate library facilities; insufficient furniture for both the teachers and students; encroachment/intrusion into some schools in the Division as a result of lack of fence and inadequate toilet facilities.
“These observations are prominent at the under-listed schools: Yewa Junior Grammar school, Ikorod (130 students in a classroom), Elepe Junior grammar school, Elepe (130), Gberigbe Junior Grammar school, Gberigbe (168), Ayangburen Junior High school, Ikorodu, (152) United Junior High school, Ikorodu (160)”.
Prof. Wahab also called the attention of LSUBEB to the state of the only secondary school in the whole of Ijede Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu division which he described as porous.
“We also wish to call your attention to Luwasa Junior High School, Ijede, that has become so porous to the extent that it has become a passage for motor-cycle riders, pedestrians and others.
“We want the Board to consider the schools mentioned above for urgent attention”, the former University don pleaded.
On behalf of the Group, Prof Wahab requested that the state government should construct more buildings, provide furniture and equip libraries in schools in Ikorodu division.
“Our prayers are: Consideration for possible erection of prototype building for aforementioned schools in the Division, Provision of furniture for teachers and students, Erection of perimeter fencing for Luwasa High School, Ijede, and Provision of equipped library”, he stated.
He also requested that the government should give, “Approval for Fact-finding Visitations to Primary Schools in the Division as plan is on course to commence the exercise”.
While responding, the LSUBEB Chairman, Hon. Alawiye – King, thanked the Resource Board delegation for the courtesy call and engagements on development of education in the state, especially in lkorodu Division.
He stated that the Ikorodu Division Human Resources Development Board (IDHRDB) is the first community – based organization to pay such courtesy calls to the LSUBEB and engage it on state of educational facilities in its area.
While stating that some of the concerns of the Resource Board has been attended to by the government, Alawiye – King assured the team that others will be attended to in conjunction with other necessary Ministry and agencies of government that are responsible for different levels of education.
He stated that erection of prototype buildings in the listed Junior Secondary Schools is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (MoE), the responsibility of erecting of perimeter fencing is jointly shared by the MoE and LSUBEB, while provision of Library is reserved for Library Board under the supervision of the Office of the Special Adviser on Education (OSAE).
While stating that his board is saddled with the responsibilities of primary schools in the state, the LSUBEB Chief added that the board is responsible for the ongoing construction of 8 – blocks of classrooms in Ipakodo Junior Secondary School, Ikorodu, which its structures were demolished last year following the collapse of part of the school’s structures.
He also stated that LSUBEB recently provided furniture across schools in the state to address shortage being experienced in many schools, especially in the Ikorodu axis.
He added that Ikorodu Local Government, being the area of the state with the largest number of schools and students, benefited more than other parts of the state in the distribution of furniture items distributed by the government.
Also speaking during the visit, Dr Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, the Permanent Member, LSUBEB, assured the board that Ikorodu Division’s requests in terms of human development, both in terms of furniture and infrastructure, have been noted for attention.
He also called more engagements and harmonious relationships between the two institutions.
Dr Ibikunle added that the engagements with Resource Board and other community – based organizations are necessary to uplift the state of education in the state since government alone cannot provide for everything that requires development of education.
The educationist, who is representing the Ikorodu Division on the LSUBEB Board , also asked the eminent members of the Resource Board to thank the LSUBEB for always honouring and implementing requests from the Ikorodu Division.
Other members of the Resource Board that were part of the visitation delegation were Prince Segun Ogunlewe, Member, Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic and former Head of Service, Lagos State, Lion Taiwo Oduloye, the immediate past Education Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Sikiru Amure, a retire Director and Principal who is the Secretary to the Board.
