Lagos public schools: Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour bicker over standards
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS, Nigeria — Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has responded to criticism of the state’s public education system made by Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who labeled the condition of public schools as a failure of successive administrations.
During a town hall meeting held on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour attributed the prevalence of private schools over public institutions to governmental shortcomings over the past two decades. He called for increased investment in public education and infrastructure to alleviate the challenges faced by students and their families.
“Unfortunately, you have public schools to private schools almost at a ratio of 10 to 1, which is an indictment on the government for the last 20 years because in no sane society should private schools outnumber public schools,” Rhodes-Vivour stated. He proposed that his administration would focus on enhancing local access to quality education and improving teacher training and salaries, asserting that schools should be established at the local government and ward levels.
Additionally, Rhodes-Vivour criticized the condition of certain public schools, specifically referencing images of facilities in Amuwo-Odofin that he characterized as “truly disgraceful.” He emphasized the need for a curriculum that fosters problem-solving skills, stating that children should understand how products are developed rather than depend solely on traditional historical narratives.
“We cannot continue telling our children that Mungo Park discovered the River Niger,” he remarked, suggesting that Lagos could benefit from education models developed in Scandinavian countries and China tailored to the Nigerian context.
In response, Deputy Governor Hamzat, who is also the gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), defended the education system, arguing that it has produced capable students. He cited the success of students from Surulere Grammar School, who excelled in an international competition in England, competing against participants from 66 countries.
Hamzat disputed claims regarding the language proficiency of public school students, stating, “I was listening to a question where somebody said our primary schools and public school students cannot speak English. And that is not correct. It’s not factually correct.”
He also highlighted the demand for Nigerian professionals abroad, noting that doctors, nurses, teachers, and engineers trained in Nigeria are being recruited by countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This, he argued, demonstrates that Nigerians possess the skills necessary to compete on a global stage.
While Hamzat acknowledged that the government has not fully addressed all issues related to public education, he emphasized the continuous nature of governance. “Have we done everything? Absolutely not. But that’s why governance is always continuous,” he said, asserting the need to identify gaps in the education system and continue efforts to enhance its effectiveness.
