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LAGOS, Nigeria - The government of Lagos State has announced the inauguration of at least 16 rehabilitated classrooms across the six divisions of the state starting Wednesday.
The chairman of the Special Committee for the Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), Hakeem Smith, made this announcement on Tuesday at the Baguda Kalto Press Centre in Alausa.
The SCRPS was established by President Bola Tinubu in 2004 and was re-launched by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2019.
"Since its inception, SCRPS has successfully rehabilitated 386 classroom blocks in both primary and secondary schools throughout Lagos State. Our new construction projects are preceded by thorough geotechnical soil investigations to ensure they are properly founded. The designs prioritize functionality, ensuring sufficient natural light and ventilation, and are finished to be durable with a careful selection of materials," he stated.
The SCRPS is tasked with the responsibility of repairing dilapidated infrastructure and building new classroom blocks in public schools.
The program will commence at Keme Balogun School in Ibeshe, Ikorodu, with a drive-through inauguration of Ajegunle Junior in Kosofe. The committee chairman mentioned several schools that are set to be inaugurated on Wednesday. The newly completed schools include Elamaro Community Junior School in Eti Osa LGA, Musade Odugate Junior School in Oriokuta, Ikorodu, and Oke Odo Junior High School in Ebute Metta. In total, 386 schools have undergone rehabilitation, including King Ado Junior and Senior High School and Isale Eko Junior/Senior Grammar School in Lagos.
Additionally, the rehabilitation includes 18 classroom blocks at Cherubim and Seraphim Nursery and Primary School 1, Owutu, Ikorodu, and the renovation of an L-shaped structure with 18 classrooms, along with fence repairs and the construction of 10 toilet blocks. Mr. Smith noted, "We have provided about 208,000 composite furniture units designed to address ergonomic issues for the schools. Principals and teachers’ furniture is usually included alongside student furniture.
However, there are still significant shortages in certain schools. Rest assured, we are continuously working to address this and hope to achieve a good balance soon." Present at the briefing were the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic Education.
