The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Folasade Adefisayo has said that every child deserves to have access to free, qualitative and inclusive education, and that’s part of the reason the Lagos State Government has been improving education systems in the state.
Hon. Adefisayo made this known while speaking at the validation and closeout meeting of the Tax Justice and Gender Responsive Public Service – Breaking Barriers Project, implemented by ActionAid Nigeria and Human Development Initiative, (HDI) with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD).
The commissioner also noted that achieving qualitative and inclusive Education in Lagos and the country at large, needs a collaborative effort between Non-Governmental Organizations and the Government as the government cannot achieve the feat alone.
She thereafter appreciated ActionAid and HDI for keeping the state government on its toes in continuous productive thinking and brainstorming in improving the standard of education not only at the public schools level but also in enforcing the implementation of education policies at the private schools level in the State.
She highlighted some improvements in public school infrastructure by the state government which included the building of ramps in schools and accessible WASH facilities for students with disabilities to ensure adequate inclusion in schools.
ActionAid Country Director, Ms. Ene Obi who was represented by the Director of Resource Mobilization, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, commended the Lagos State Government for creating a good environment for partnership, which helped in the successful implementation of the project.
He stressed that such attitude, if continued, would help attract more funding support to the state.
Earlier, Mrs. Olufunso Owasonye, the Executive Director of HDI, noted that the 4-year project has had a positive impact on the Education sector and the Lagos State government has been supportive of the project since its inception.
Owasanoye said, “the almost 4 years journey have recorded unions and community stakeholders’ actions demanding for improved quality, inclusive and free public education and holding government accountable.
“We have also recorded the actions of the Lagos State government in prioritizing education, progressively increasing allocation to education, and consequent improving educational services and infrastructure in response to some needs of children with disabilities.
“These few positive changes made it clear that the Lagos State Government is listening and that our years of advocacy engagements were not in vain.”