Lagos OEQA Team Continues Monitoring Resumption Of School Activities

The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) team has continued its monitoring of schools’ resumption activities for the Second term of the 2024/2025 academic session in schools below tertiary level across the state.

The Coordinating Director, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mr. Remi Abdul spoke during the 4th day of the exercise, reiterating the state government’s concern about the performance of students during external examinations.

He revealed that in view of this development, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun has put measures in place to improve the learning outcomes of students. These measures include the implementation of a Universal timetable, weekly essay writing to improve students’ writing skills, and Principals and Vice Principals teaching in classrooms for a specified number of periods weekly.

Other measures include regular teaching of Mathematics and English as core subjects, disciplinary measures for erring staff, morning and afternoon lessons for students, and promotions purely based on merit.

Mr. Abdul charged Principals to live up to expectations by performing their duties optimally and being role models. He also emphasised the importance of adopting the State Government’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy.

On his part, the Director, Monitoring and Investigation, OEQA, Mr. Kamardeen Akodu emphasised the need for teachers to adopt the State Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. He stated that every school should engage a desk officer for the implementation of Safeguarding and Child Protection, who should be different from the school guidance counsellor and must be trusted and responsible.

Mr. Akodu noted that cases of sexual abuse should be reported to the designated desk officer. He added that the State Government frowns at infractions on Safeguarding and Child Protection, citing the prohibition of the use of canes in schools.

The team, led by Mr. Remi Abdul took a tour around the schools’ facilities to ensure safety and a conducive environment for learners and teachers. The 10-day monitoring exercise, which started on Monday, January 6, 2025, will end on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Some members of the team include the Director, Quality Assurance, OEQA, Mr. Taofeek Ajibade; the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Hakeem Idowu; the Coordinating Director, Education District II, Mrs. Olubunmi Adekoya; the Zonal Director, Education District II, Mrs. Magdalene Olowu; Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ms. Adepeju Adeyemi and an Evaluator/Counsellor, Miss Adebayo Shotobi.

Schools monitored include Gbagada Comprehensive Junior High School, Oduduwa Junior High School, Gbagada, and Eva Adelaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Bariga.