A rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has asked the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to supply it detailed information of five years finances of the government on public primary and secondary schools in the state.
SERAP, in a letter dated November 30, 2013 and signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, made the request on the strength of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The group threatened to “take appropriate legal actions” to compel the government if it failed to “comply within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”
The letter read in part, “SERAP is seriously concerned about decay in infrastructure in public primary and secondary schools across the state, including Ewutuntun Grammar School in Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Ikeja Grammar School, Iloro Grammar School in Agege and Fagba Junior Grammar School, Iju Road.
“Many pupils in these and other schools continue to sit on the bare floor in some classes while lessons are going on. The classrooms are overcrowded with several broken chairs and desks. Pupils are also reportedly forced to work to repair broken chairs and desks, something which would amount to forced labour.”
The group said it was concerned “about reports that rather than genuinely address the debilitating problem of infrastructure across public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State, the government suspended some teachers and principals.”
SERAP’s specific demands include information on “the spendings for the past five years on the furniture in public secondary schools in the state.
“The spending of the World Bank loan of $90m to improve education in the 639 public secondary schools in the state.
“Details of projects carried out to improve infrastructure and facilities across primary and secondary education in Lagos State. For example, information should be provided on the breakdown of the amount spent on infrastructural development,” the letter added.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, has lamented the level of corruption in public schools in the state.
The party said in a statement that it had enough evidence of high level fraud, adding that it was necessary for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the matter.
The party accused the state governor of indifference in matters relating to corruption in the state.
The statement read in part, “Since the revelation of dilapidated public schools in the state, the Lagos State Government has been harassing head teachers for allowing media report their schools. Rather than this vindictive posture, the state government is expected to fix the problems and not blame head teachers of those schools.”
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