The Lagos State Government has set up a 17-member committee to draft and implement a comprehensive policy for private and mission-owned schools, marking a new push to standardise education across non-state institutions in the state.

The policy, which is expected within two months, is being developed under the supervision of the Office of Education Quality Assurance and will align with national education benchmarks while addressing the peculiar needs of Lagos State.

At the unveiling held Thursday at the OEQA headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Abisola Dokumu-Adegbite, said the move was in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu?s commitment to inclusive and quality education.

?The committee is expected to produce a policy of world-class standard. I hope I have your assurances to deliver unto us within the specific timeline, a document that is both standard and useable over the years,? she said.

She promised continued support and oversight to ensure the policy?s successful delivery.

The Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, described the committee unveiling as a ?landmark step? in standardising education delivery in Lagos.

?This initiative is setting the agenda for the standardisation of non-state schools in Lagos and potentially across Nigeria,? Abdul said, while also commending the DAWN Commission and PLANE for their technical support.

He noted that the policy would build on the newly approved National Policy for Non-State Schools and demonstrate Lagos? leadership in its localisation.

Chairing the committee is the Director of Private Education and Special Programmes at OEQA, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa.

Outlining the group?s responsibilities, he said, ?Once implemented, this policy will provide non-government education investors with a unified, transparent framework, replacing outdated guidelines and simplifying compliance.?

The committee is expected to identify regulatory gaps, align with national policy frameworks, and submit a draft to the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative backing.

Representatives of key stakeholder groups at the event welcomed the initiative.

?This policy will enhance the quality of education and ensure consistency across both public and private institutions in Lagos,? said President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Lagos Chapter, Chief Alaka Yusuf.

Reverend Father Vincent Bankole, representing Catholic Mission Schools, described the move as ?a step in the right direction,? while Alhaji Yaqeen Mansur, who is the Chairman of the League of Muslim School Proprietors in Lagos, said, ?For the first time, we are getting it right. This policy will serve as a working paper for every non-state school operator and contribute to Lagos State?s developmental goals.?

The committee?s recommendations are expected to pave the way for enforceable legislation that would guide the operations of non-state schools in Lagos. (Saturday PUNCH)

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