The Lagos State Government has lamented the failure of public students to justify the huge investments in the education sector as 31,596 students representing 54.3% of candidates failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun disclosed this at a ministerial briefing in Alausa, noting that the figure failed to justify the N1.577 billion on examination fees for the 58,188 public school students who sat for the examinations.
To tackle the problem, the Commissioner announced the launch of the Eko Learners’ Support Programme which will broadcast 320 lessons across 10 key subjects for WASSCE and NECO Candidates.
He also announced the exclusive promotion of high-performing students to terminal classes, stating that such a move was designed to curb mass promotion and encourage academic excellence.
Speaking further, the commissioner said that in addressing teachers’ welfare and capacity building, the state government recruited 4,353 teachers between 2023 and 2024. These were deployed across education districts and vocational centres. He added that a total of ₦102.5 million was approved by Governor Sanwo-Olu for teacher housing loans, covering both backlogs and new beneficiaries, with ₦43.5 million disbursed to 121 officers as car refurbishment loans.
On out-of-school children, the commissioner disclosed that a total of 30,000 children had been kitted and reintegrated into public schools across the state and cautioned students to steer clear of social vices such as drug abuse, cultism, gang activities, and examination malpractice.
