Lagos State Government through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, on Thursday, launched the “Lagos Learns Together”, stressing that the current administration will not leave any child behind in terms of access to education.
Speaking at the launching held at the SUBEB Multipurpose Hall, Maryland, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, revealed that the scheme, ‘Lagos Learns Together’ is aimed at ensuring that the state educational system is sustainable.
“With this initiative, we have free learning resources for students, teachers, parents and all schools below tertiary level of education. The physical learning pack being distributed free to students is a paradigm shift to prove that we are readers, lovers of books and will deploy education for the greater needs of mankind”, she added.
While commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner urged well-established institutions and corporate organizations to partner with the government in ensuring the sustainability of the initiative, emphasizing that the books are relevant, exceptional and great for all pupils below tertiary education.
In her welcome address, the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, disclosed that “Lagos Learns Together” was borne out of the desire of the Lagos State Government to bridge learning gaps of students below the tertiary level as the world strives to flatten the COVID-19 pandemic curve that has left approximately 1.5billion students out of school globally. She explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Agency to take learning online with different resources on www.lagoslearnstogether.com to support both public and private schools for free.
Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni who said that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new challenges, specifically for students who do not have access to technology such as laptops and smartphones, propelled the agency to embark on the laudable initiative of ‘Lagos Learns Together’. “It is essential that the education of each and every child is able to continue despite the circumstances and that is where the Lagos Learns Together initiative comes in”, she said.
She further stated that “the OEQA leveraged on technology to drive this remote learning platform with all-inclusive e-learning with access to content modeled after the curriculum in compliance with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda of Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Education and Technology. The OEQA created this as a bank of educational materials for students all the way from primary school to SSS3”.
The study packs are both digital and physical so that technology is no longer a barrier to accessing education in the state. Beyond study material, the learning packs also include safety information for students regarding sexual abuse, kidnapping, fire outbreaks and numbers to call in case of an emergency. There is also a COVID-19 education handbook which was designed in conjunction with the United Nations and the European Union.
According to the Director-General, the launching of “Lagos Learn Together” will revolutionize learning in Lagos State and deepen existing educational equality by increasing access to educational resources. She urged students to use these resources wisely and maximize the opportunities that come with the initiative, for the betterment of education and society. “Since we have a responsibility to our community, the OEQA has provided Learning Packs to students who have no access to technology” she added.
The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Okanlawon Sanni, who launched OEQA ‘Lagos Learns Together’ webite: www.lagoslearnstogether.com. on behalf of Mr. Governor of Lagos State commended the Office of Education Quality Assurance for the online learning initiative. He said he is hopeful that the laudable project will further strengthen the quality of education delivery in the state. He advised students to make the best use of the opportunity especially as the learning packs are being distributed. He finally encouraged students who have access to data to always interact with the website; www.lagoslearnstogether.com.
- Olaniran Emmanuel
- Public Affairs
- OEQA