World Bank Injects $90 Million Into
Lagos Public Schools
Qasim Akinreti, Lagos
The
World Bank has committed ninety million dollars to support the
Lagos state government’s new initiative for developing public
secondary schools, the Eko Project.
The four year programme is meant to address government’s
priority for human capital development in the education sector.
The World Bank Country Director, Mr. Onno Ruhl, said Lagos was
chosen as a pilot project due to the determination of the state
to restore confidence in its public schools.
According to him, ’’Lagos state is the first in Nigeria to
demonstrate a determination to revive and restore confidence in
public schools; hence we are supporting the Eko Secondary
Education Project. It will be a turning point for others
states.’’
Scope of Funding
Under the new initiative, about three million naira extra
funding would be provided as intervention fund for six hundred
and fifteen schools and five Technical Colleges.
Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola said that the
commitment to public schools was borne out of a unique desire to
give the best to the next generation of Nigerians.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu urged other states to
emulate the good initiative of Lagos state.
The initiative of the World Bank is seen as a renewed attempt by
international donor agencies and private sector operators
contribute towards sustaining excellence in public schools in
Nigeria.
Yinka
