The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a committee to harmonise the examination, school calendar and curriculum of public and private secondary schools in the state.
In a statement on Sunday in Lagos, the Commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye, was quoted as saying that the committee would also undertake a holistic appraisal of the education sector.
Oladunjoye said the committee became imperative in view of government’s desire to have a harmonised school calendar, curriculum and examinations.
According to him, this is because majority of the students at the secondary school level attend private schools.
The commissioner pointed out that government alone could not take the education sector to the desired height hence the need to involve the private sector in the drive.
She reiterated government’s commitment towards making education available and accessible to every child in Lagos State
“This is the goal we must realise and that is why we are meeting with the private school providers to have a harmonised calendar and curriculum.
“Generally, we do not have an excuse not to have a harmonised calendar.”
She also appealed to parents and guardians to promote the use of our indigenous languages by conversing with their wards in their mother tongues.
The Chairman of the committee, Dr Femi Ogunsanya, said the committee was a welcome initiative and that it was the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Ogunsanya promised that the committee would assiduously pursue the task before it.
Also contained in the statement was the inauguration of the new Governing Board of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).
Oladunjoye, who inaugurated the board, charged the members to justify the confidence the state had reposed in them.
She urged them to align themselves with the visions and missions of LASTVEB and the Ministry of Education.
The Chairman of the board, Adeyinka Oyemade, thanked the State Government for the opportunity given to them to serve the state.