The attempt in this article is responsive to the announcement by the new Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, Dr. Leke Pitan. It is appropriate to highlight the Commissioner’s concern; and as an impressive anodyne to a problem that can only be hoped is not a politician-speak.

The Commissioner’s concern that 50% per-cent of Public Schools in his State have no tables and chairs is not an eye-opener. For it is not a sudden problem begging resolution. In fact, it ought to dock the State government on a charge of inhumane treatment of children, at the minimum; and unmitigated negligence for which there is little defence. Is this a government that has the welfare of Children at its heart? Does this government take seriously schools’ inspections? What has happened to Schools’ Inspectorate? Has no one ever reported the abysmal situation to the Governor? Is the news of dearth of Chairs and Tables new to the State government? Is the interest of the Governor limited to the gimmickry of transferring authority of the State to children for one day? This new Commissioner’s disclosure is an interesting one. Lagosians should demand of Mr. Bola Tinubu’s government: how, after eight years of governance – education of children descended to such a pathetic level.

Dr. Pitan is no stranger to me. Both of us shared tables and chairs in the same classroom; and studied in more conducive environment for years - when we were striplings. Since those days – our trajectories have differed; in a crowd – we may not recognise each other; and our paths are unlikely to intertwine. So, just as he acclaimed; and same is reflected herein: concentration is on what may one day become “Ijoko Pitan”. It is hoped solving the dire situation in education of children in Lagos State will not be reduced to “Digi Bola” - a Bagatelle eponymous of the State Governor. For clarity, and perhaps posterity, if the new Commissioner institutionalises a correction of the present situation, unlike the fatuous Digi Bola – a standard operating procedure will emerge. Such policy entrenchment will make a reversal almost impossible. As a consequence - never in the State would Children experience such inhumanity from their government.

I shall attempt on three heads to crystallise why the new Commissioner must consider exigencies precipitating the current situation. Throwing money at the problem without exploring facts will not solve the problem. Neither would offers of contracts for cabinet-makers parading themselves as Furniture Designers abate or mitigate the current trend. The Commissioner must return to basics before deciding on what to do. To charge at the problem as intoned in his interview may miss an opportunity to bring to bear a legacy of good stewardship which stands to impale achievements of recent past holders of his same office.

But before such attempts as I wish to proffer - it must be stated that the immediate past Commissioner in that Ministry was most probably a square peg in a round hole: a misfit for the post. To come out of a Ministry with tellingly statistics where so many children sit on floors at State schools is indicting. What could possibly mitigate and absolve the immediate past Commissioner? The requirement for chairs and tables is not complex. It is not Rocket Science. Or, is it? It should be inquired whether past Commissioners before Dr. Pitan served as Charge hands overseeing payments of wages and salaries, rather than foreseeing deteriorating situations where children are herded in school buildings without chairs and tables?

So, firstly, whatever the new education Commissioner seeks to do – he must query enrolment policies which offered more pupil admissions than available physical capacity. Has the State government documented requirements for provision of chairs and tables? Did previous Commissioners alert the Governor to the state of schools?  Is the Governor at the centre of this recklessness? Who determines the number of admissions to schools? Are these decisions formulated at local or State level? When last did the State Governor undertake impromptu tours of State schools as he wades through floods at Victoria Island and Ikoyi for pictorial opportunities as another of his gimmicks?

It seems there is no absorption at whatever level admissions are offered. Does the State ministry possess number of pupils in each school? And, how come for so many years, the Ministry failed woefully to correlate intake numbers to available desks and chairs? This failure is not short of criminal negligence. Accordingly, the Commissioner must rout his Ministry, firstly, by disengaging those who have failed our children; or, at best orientate his staff to the demands of new expectations. He should also create task forces of Carpenters, labourers and apprentices to go into schools constructing simple styled; and enduring chairs and tables. Solution of this problem ought not provide opportunities for Contractors to be enriched. Scarce resources must be managed through direct labour of Craftsmen who are stationed at schools - teaching apprentices how to make required chairs and tables which the new Commissioner bequeaths as:“Ijoko Pitan”. As a benefit of direct labour – the Commissioner with involvement of apprentice training will after a short to medium term succeed in giving opportunities to train as tradesmen on his State government training scheme; and in a way resolve the scarcity of properly trained Craftsmen in Lagos.

Secondly, the new Commissioner must consider demographic studies available at his Ministry, if available. It is not in my wildest imagination to expect such studies exist. We are a nation governed by leaders who plan without facts. Projections must be available to forecast number of children resuming at schools in densely populated areas. It may well mean that classes are planned in shifts. Scrutiny of education policies of the Ministry in context of available scarce resources is imperative. Would the new Commissioner now realise he serves a government driven by propaganda, instead of proactively delivering well rounded children - educated in conducive environments?

If studies are inexistent at the Ministry – the new Commissioner may wish to consider commissioning these studies. The point being, such situations as he has met at schools were not created suddenly. There are variables, actions, inactions and decisions that led to situations where pupils have to sit on bare floors to learn.

Thirdly, in view of scarce resources, it is now time to involve direct participation of Volunteers who are prepared to assist at schools. In developed countries there are various organisations that avail themselves to alleviate burdens on schools administration. Such examples include where the Organisation is established as Friends of a particular school. We can do the same in Nigeria. Involve graduates at Churches, Mosques and Commerce to adopt schools where they want to see the children and their schools thrive. Present the idea as “putting back into society”. Many people want to do it – if properly organised.

In considering direct participation – the Commissioner should be conscious of the danger such Elixir portends. Although, it presents a solution that has no costs to the Ministry – an improper oversight of it, has its own problems. Were the Commissioner to involve direct participation – Volunteers must be subjected to rigorous examination of their backgrounds and antecedents; registration with the Ministry and the Police; and such people must not be allowed to vie for Contracts for which there are pecuniary benefits. Also, the Volunteers must be reminded of legal obligations of holding out themselves; and as such must appreciate such obligations are not suspended because of non-remuneration. It calls for the Commissioner to set up, at his Ministry, a team to assist Volunteers and codify Direct Involvement as a Policy. If stringent guidelines are understood before commitments of Volunteers are accepted, the Commissioner will readily have to hand - reports of what is happening at various locality of his charge.

What is happening in Lagos Public schools begs several questions. Is this what Mr. Bola Tinubu has achieved in governance? Why has it taken this long for a courageous Commissioner to raise the alarm? What was the last Commissioner doing in the period in that post? In essence – whatever, Mr. Tinubu may achieve in government – there are thousands of children who forever will be reminded they started out in life under an irresponsible government that could not provide chairs and tables for schools. These children will talk about residing in one of the most dynamic states in the Nigerian Union. Yet, their reminiscence will be of learning to read and write on schools’ floors. The state governor, if for nothing but a legacy that will abide – should set aside politicking; concentrate on assisting his new Commissioner to reverse what for years may be ascribed as his recklessness – when that ought not be the case.

Banjo Odutola

The writer is a solicitor of the Supreme Court, England and Wales and a Lawyer at a Firm of Solicitors in London, England

Robot  # 1 | 18.04.2006 08:50

...Read the full article.

emj  # 2 | 18.04.2006 17:10

Good talk Banjo, the Lagos state Ministry of Education and the supervisory state school board have been reckless in their dealings with relevant issues for several years. Most of the state schools don't have glass in the window panes, some even have leaky roofs. Do you know that some students actually carry their own chairs and tables to school everyday. The headmasters and principals depending on the level of the schools had to pay/settle to get the ministry to release funds to carry out repairs and at times teachers salaries. Parents are most times requested through various levies to even pay for basics such as chalks and dusters. Various self help projects have been initiated by some headmasters and principals with the participation of some organizations and individuals. Some schools now have Parent/teachers association being in the fore-front of getting that which is necessary done. But should it really be that way? No is the answer. We look forward to Leke Pitan doing something extra-ordinary to change the lots of this schools---- its been long overdue!:exclaim:

Jide Martins  # 3 | 26.01.2008 17:53

Thank you for your courage to pull the bull by the horns,a lot dear not for parochial and selfish interest.I remember as a boy growing up in surulere, in the 1970s and attending public school,well furnished,maintained and devoted teachers.There used to be something called Parents/teachers association,school management committees,school management board and inspectors coming to check compliance with school curriculum,and teachers performance.I was luck,we used to get all the attention and encomium from the inspectors,those of us,that sat in front of the class,it was both inspiring and challenging.The schools often hold events,co-sponsored by companies and local prominent personalities and social bodies.We can rejuvenate our schools,by bringing in private finance initiative and get all these banks declaring billlions,to put something back into the society,as part of their corporate social responsibility.This is part of our future.There is no point school authority,chasing sub standard private schools,when,the state schools cannot even be a viable benchmark.Against,which standards are these schools measured,to be deemed sub standard.I am proposing a 4 point actions to revamp our schools: 1.The financing of schools cannot be solely done by the state,thus we need private finance partnership.NGOs cannot be relied on,to secure the education and securing the future of our children.Banks and companies should be encoraged to invest and be part of this scheme.2.The charitable status of churches and mosques must be reciprocated by investing out of their incomes,in creating and supporting public schools.The present regimes of elitist university by christian organisations is unacceptable.The average church members cannot afford the school fees,even though,the universities were founded out of their "owo igba and ida mewa".(offering and thight) 3.Old students from schools should be mobilised and implored to contribute to the schools,from where their humble begining emanated.This strategy works well among the social elitist clubs,when it comes to electioneering for the clubs executive posts and larger political outings emanates from school old boys caucus.4.Rigorous management of Universal Basic Primary school budget to reduce graft and ensure efficiency and value for money. Over to you,Honorable commissioner !.