Press Releases

Fashola Charges Parents To Take More Interest In Academic Progress Of Wards
…Wins NAPTAN Best Performing Governor of the Year Award 2009

Apr 6, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday charged parents and guardians to take more than passing interest in the academic progress of their children as this is the only way by which their performance could improve.

According to Governor Fashola who spoke at Lagos House, Marina when he received members of the National Executive Council of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAP) who conferred him with the award of the best performing State Executive Governor of Nigeria for Year 2009, the task of educating the child should not be left alone for the teachers.

Governor Fashola charged the members of the NAPTAN to undertake the advocacy from state to state to ensure that every parent take time to check on what constitute the curriculum content of their wards on a daily basis.

The Lagos State helmsman advised the association to conduct an enlightenment campaign from school to school and develop a term sheet which could be used by parents and guardians to monitor the performance of their wards .

The Governor explained that if Nigerians are truly desirous of reforming the educational sector, a lot of hard work and time would be required, adding that it is a journey which the state Government is ready to embark upon.

The Governor who commented on reports about the performance of pupils during the NECO Exams said though the results gave cause for concern, a close monitoring of the results would show that there have been a steady improvement from 2007 when the percentage of passes was 7% to 2008 when it moved to 10% and 2009 when the success rate was 18%.

He added that the present administration upon assumption of office has approached the issue of education from a belief that there are four sets of stakeholders who are involved and are instrumental to the success of all educational policies namely the students, teachers, parents/guardian and the community.

He reiterated that it is only an interplay of the factors that lead to a realization of all goals of the education sector.

The Governor said government realized that public schools were not as attractive as private schools and is determined to make public schools a destination point for both the teachers and students

He said already it is providing water and facility of convenience in all public schools to ensure that they become a destination of choice for pupils and teachers and this informed why many schools are being rehabilitated and new ones are also springing up in many areas.

He also informed that textbooks in the five major subjects have been distributed to the pupils of public schools in Lagos just as the environment of the classroom is being improved for teachers and students.

He was certain that by the end of the year 2010, no pupil or teacher in any of the public schools in Lagos would be without seating chairs and benches as the items are already being supplied in batches to the schools.

He added that the State is also auditing all public schools to do a redistribution of pupils and staffs as some schools are overpopulated while some barely have enough children on the school roll.

He also said much progress has been made through the cross cutting public and private sector participation in management of schools which has resulted in a return of the schools to the missionary owners for better management, adding that the conditions of the schools are improving.

Governor Fashola said beyond that, the policy of adopt a school which has been embraced by public spirited individuals gives opportunity for such private individuals to take a particular item or a section of a public school which needs funding which can be adopted and financed by the individual.

He explained that the latest policy of the State Government which is the EKO Education Project is aimed at encouraging teachers and principals to take charge of affairs of the schools by solely managing funds and plans and to be implemented for the schools.

The Governor said to act as a check on the school principals, there are volunteers who monitor the performance of the Principals to ensure that they follow laid down procedures and policies.

While thanking the National Coordinator and members of NAPTAP for the honour, Governor Fashola said the honour has been done to Lagos because whatever compliments have been paid to him should go the government and people of Lagos State.

He said he would be accepting the honour on behalf of the people and especially those serving the Ministry of Education who toil day and night to improve education in Nigeria.

He said the administration did not set out to win awards but to satisfy the people who voted it into power as well as implement the manifesto of the party, Action Congress.

Earlier while speaking on what informed the choice of Governor Fashola, the National Co-ordinator of NAPTAP, Alhaji Babs Alade Animashaun said the choice of Governor Fashola by the association was very unanimous.

He said from inputs and contributions from all delegates from all parts of the country who brought materials as index of performance, in an atmosphere which was devoid of politics, Governor Fashola topped in all aspects of governance.

The National Co-ordinator said it was a thing of joy to him that while contributions were being taken from different commentators of the selection, devoid of any lobbying, Governor Fashola was the main choice as the best Governor in Nigeria for Year 2009.

Alhaji Animashaun who said he was not surprised at the performance of Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in office because of his very rich pedigree, added that he is a very selfless leader who is also a product of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu political dynasty.

The award of honour was later presented to Governor Fashola by Alhaji Babs Animashaun who was assisted by his wife, Alhaja Biola Animashaun and National President of NAPTAN, Alhaji Musa Saeed Talle and Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan.

Also present at the ceremony were Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, and his Establishment, Training and Pensions counterpart, Mr Jide Sanwo Olu and other members of the National Executive Council of NAPTAP.