By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
THE LAGOS State government has issued a firm warning to teachers and schools against extending official school hours for fee-paying extra lessons.
This directive was announced by the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, during the commissioning of a block of classrooms and furniture at Amuwo-Odofin Junior High School Complex.
Alli-Balogun emphasized that the extra hour after the official closing time, typically used for paid lessons, is meant for extracurricular activities. These activities, including clubs such as the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Boys Scouts, Boys/Girls Brigade, the STEM Club, Writing and Debate Club, are essential for the well-rounded development of students.
Expressing his disapproval of the practice where the first lesson of the day is often neglected by teachers, Alli-Balogun warned that any teacher caught derelict in their duties would face strict consequences. “Do your job at the right time between 8.00a.m and 2.00p.m and leave the extra hour for reading or extracurricular activities.
We will no longer condone using that time for fee-paying extra lessons in our schools. Education is free in Lagos State, and nobody should be charging any fee for anything,” he stated.
The commissioner made these remarks during the inauguration of new classroom facilities and furniture at the Amuwo-Odofin Junior High School Complex, a project sponsored by Grimaldi Group and Ports & Terminal Multiservices Ltd. He urged students to fully engage in the various social activities and clubs available to ensure their holistic development.
Alli-Balogun’s stern message underlines the government’s commitment to free education and the importance of extracurricular activities in fostering a balanced educational environment.
