The Lagos State government has called on technical colleges to transform their workshops and training centers into hubs of excellence that can generate revenue for both the schools and the state.
Speaking during a school resumption inspection tour to Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, emphasized the need to harness technical education for economic benefits. Other schools visited during the tour included Agidingbi Junior and Senior Grammar Schools and the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), among others in Education District 1.
“While exposing and training your students on technical skills such as vehicle repairs in the workshop and other centers here, you can equally utilize the opportunity to generate some income for the school and state,” Alli-Balogun said.
The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a more conducive learning environment, highlighting its focus on technical education and vocational training to maximize students’ potential.
Ahead of the May/June 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Alli-Balogun outlined several initiatives to bolster students’ academic performance.
These include early morning lessons, after-school tutorials and Saturday classes.
“To support this, the state is working on various initiatives, including early morning lessons, after-school hours tutorials, and Saturday classes to add to students’ knowledge for better performance,” he said.
He added that monitoring teams from the Ministry of Education have been deployed to ensure effective implementation of these measures. “The target is to have an impressive performance of our students,” he stressed.
The commissioner urged parents to actively collaborate with teachers in monitoring students’ academic activities. He also advised school principals and teachers to hold regular meetings to encourage one another and share strategies for effective teaching.
“Parents also have their role to play in this plan. There must be active collaboration between teachers and parents as a means of monitoring students’ academic activities,” he said.
Addressing senior secondary school students preparing for WASSCE, Alli-Balogun encouraged them to focus on their studies, avoid distractions such as social media, and steer clear of negative influences.
The Lagos State government’s proactive measures highlight its determination to enhance education quality while exploring innovative ways to make technical colleges economically viable. Schools in Lagos State resumed on Monday for the second term of the 2024/2025 academic session.
