… Emphasise Positive Effect of Public-Private Partnership on Education Transformation
The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Dream School Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has established a new Secondary School in Tohon Community, Badagry, with the aim of giving students within the community access to educational opportunities.
Speaking at the commissioning of a twin block of 12-unit classrooms, including a staff room, borehole, toilet facility, library and laboratory, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, commended the Dream School Foundation for partnering with the State Government to establish a Secondary School for the children of the community.
The Commissioner, who was represented at the ceremony by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, stated that the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu places value on collaboration and an impactful public-private partnership as a vital tool in the Lagos State Education Transformation Plan.
Mrs. Adefisayo emphasised that the intervention by the Dream School Foundation is in support of the commitment of Lagos State to provide quality education and a conducive learning environment in all public schools in the State.
According to her, “Mr. Governor has commissioned over 1,449 projects covering 1,036 schools across all the State; we also ensured the prompt construction, renovation and rehabilitation of 322 Dilapidated Public Schools, while 96,334 dual composite units of furniture were supplied to schools among other infrastructure projects”.
“As a testament to the huge investment by this administration, the performance of students with a minimum of five credits including Mathematics and English in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination has improved from 38.79% in 2020 to 79.64% in 2021”, she asserted.
Urging community leaders and residents to take ownership of the school and see it as an integral part of the society that must be protected, the Commissioner admonished them to unite in ensuring that hoodlums and vandals are not allowed to destroy or cart away property of the school.
Earlier in a welcome remark, the Founder/CEO of the Dream School Foundation, Mrs. Dena Grushkin, who was represented by the Director of the Foundation, Mr. Suru David Ojo, commended the visible efforts of the State Government in the education sector.
Mrs. Grushkin emphasised the importance of giving back to society by supporting and collaborating with the government in achieving its aim of providing quality education in a conducive environment for all children in the State.
Her words: “The Foundation has deemed it fit to go to rural communities to set up schools as education is a necessity and every child must be given access, which will increase the literacy level and contribute significantly to the growth of the State”.
The Founder of the Dream School Foundation noted that the institution also provides scholarships for students throughout their university education, pledging the support of the NGO to the State Government in building more schools and upholding the quality of education in Lagos State.
The Commissioning ceremony was also witnessed by the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District V, Mr. Charles Olajide, Royal Fathers and Baales of the various communities in Badagry, Community and Political Leaders among others.
