Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday said his administration gave priority to the education sector in his first tenure in office, saying they did not fail in four years in the payment of the fees for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for students of Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) of the state’s public schools.
Sanwo-Olu stated this at the 2023 Children’s Day Celebration themed “More Money for Primary Education”.
He said his administration spent over N4.2billion in the space of four years for the payment in line with the free education policy of the government.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said his administration prioritises education having recognised that students are the future of the state.
“I want to tell you the truth that is shared by all of us here that without you, the children, we would have little joy and we would have no love at all. That is why it is our belief that you are the most precious creation in the world. We are bound to protect, guide and love all our children with our might because you are our greatest treasure.
“We did not default in the payment of WAEC fees in all our public school SS3 students in the last four years. Over N4.2bn was spent in the last four years to keep our promise of free payment of the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination fees to allow our students move up the ladder and to ensure no student is left behind in secondary school education,” he added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that his administration’s investment in the education sector has given testament to the success rate of public school student’s performance in WASSCE which he said has recorded an improvement from 38.79 percent in five credits performance, including Mathematics and English in 2020 to 80 and 78 percent in 2022 and 2023.
He said the same has also been reflected in the scores of students of public schools in the Joint Matriculation Admission Board (JAMB) Examination, saying “for the first time in recent years, we’ve never reported a good number of public secondary school students scoring over 350 points.”
“Our administration would therefore continue to empower our children and youth with relevant skills for a self reliant future and provide a suitable path for them based on skills and competences,” he promised.
The governor assured the students that, “A greater time lies ahead as we commence our second term after inauguration in two days time.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, said the 2023 Children’s Day Celebration was important forming part of the inauguration activities lined-up to herald the second term in office of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as Governor and Deputy respectively.
According to him, the theme forms a significant discourse in the development of education, speaking to the relevance that more attention is needed “for our children to be properly taken care of in their formative years.”
He appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy for what he described as “their genuine interest in the total welfare, education and development of children in the state.”
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