Lagos set to ban children from roaming streets during school hours

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to issue an executive order banning school-age children from roaming the streets during school hours in Lagos.

The governor made the announcement on Friday at the launch of the Lagos Education Access Fund (LEAF) and the inauguration of the board of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.

Sanwo-Olu said the executive order would strengthen efforts to address the problem of out-of-school children in the state while adding that parents, communities and institutions must take responsibility for ensuring children attend school regularly.

According to him, no school-age child should be seen outside between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. unless there is a genuine reason for the child not being in school.

The governor also announced the creation of a 25-million-dollar outcomes-based education fund, explaining that the initiative Is aimed at improving learning outcomes rather than simply increasing school enrolment.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the programme, in partnership with the Education Outcome Fund and other development partners, will support more than 200,000 children across the state.

“The initiative will help enroll over 50,000 out-of-school children between the ages of six and 14, while also supporting about 150,000 pupils already in school to improve their literacy and numeracy skills,” Sanwo-Olu said.

At the event, Mr. governor also inaugurated the board of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board with Hakeem Shittu as chairman alongside other members who will oversee the implementation of basic education policies in the state.