No fewer than 150,000 pupils in public and private schools in Lagos State on Saturday sat for entrance examination into Junior Secondary Schools (JSS1) in the state.

Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Mrs Florence Ogunfidodo gave the figure while monitoring the examination at Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School at Maryland, Lagos.

She was accompanied by another Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mrs Titilayo Solanrin.

The Director-General in charge of Quality Assurance in the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Ronke Soyonbo was also in the team.

Ogunfidodo said that 235 centres in government-owned schools were designated for the examination.

The tutor-general said that of the number, 90,000 were drawn from public schools while 60,000 were from private schools.

She said that only pupils from registered private schools were allowed to sit for the examination, which she said, was compulsory for those wanting to continue their education in public secondary schools in the state.

Ogunfidodo said that each pupil must score 50 per cent and above in English Language and Mathematics to qualify for admission into JSS I.

She said the examination was organised for primary six pupils, explaining that any pupil below 10 years would be disallowed from writing the examination.

"We have provision for physically challenged children. Because of their nature, we give them more time to finish their examination.

"We have more numbers than last year because members of the public are aware of the standard and they also trust the government schools which have the capacity and personnel to train children.

"All our officers are on ground to ensure that the examination is hitch-free," she said.

Also speaking, Solanrin advised private school operators against registering primary five pupils for the examination, saying that they were not yet matured for secondary school.

In her remarks, Soyonbo, said "the number of pupils is impressive and we have noticed some challenges which we will improve on next year to create space for more pupils.

"We are involved in the planning of the examination to ensure quality and we are here today to ensure that standard is maintained." (NAN)

Photo shows: Pupils writing exam

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