OEQA Intervention Workshop Targets Standard Upgrading for Lagos Private Schools

The Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, recently organized a crucial Approval Intervention Workshop for owners of registered Grade C and D private schools. The event, held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, was themed “Pathway to Progress: Scaling Up Private Schools for Approval in Lagos State.” This workshop is part of the state government’s strategic and ongoing effort to foster synergy between regulators and school owners, following similar engagements extended to Grade A and B schools earlier in the year. The core aim is to guide and support yet-to-be-approved institutions in achieving full compliance with established standards for a safe and quality teaching and learning environment.

The Director of the Private Education and Special Programmes (PESP) Department, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, clarified that the existing school grading system (Categories A to D) is an essential evaluative tool and not a punitive measure. He emphasized that the intervention is "not a judgment but an assessment" designed to help the OEQA identify critical areas requiring support and improvement. The workshop was specifically structured to demystify compliance expectations by breaking down checklist requirements for nursery, primary, and secondary schools. It focused on addressing common gaps, such as incomplete statutory records, poor documentation, and inadequate safety measures, which Dr. Ogunmuyiwa stressed should be viewed as opportunities for growth.

​Critical aspects of physical facility standards were addressed by the Director of the Approval Unit (OEQA), Mrs. Kehinde Ogunlana. She urged school owners to strictly adhere to the minimum requirements for approval, emphasizing the necessity of adequate classrooms, special rooms, appropriate furniture, and structurally safe buildings. Notably, she advised schools operating from converted residential buildings to conduct structural integrity tests to confirm their suitability for academic use. Furthermore, the Director of Monitoring and Investigation (OEQA), Mrs. Kafilat Ashimi, reinforced the need for strict adherence to state-approved procedures in resolving issues, particularly those related to examinations and staff–student, parent–teacher, and employer–employee relationships.

​The event also highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation and external support. The Coordinating Director of Education District VI, Mrs. Folusade Sofola, encouraged proprietors to utilize the readily available support resources at district offices and the OEQA headquarters, emphasizing the state’s open-door policy for all stakeholders. Adding to the support network, the Executive Director of SEED Care and Support Foundation, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, announced her organization's readiness to assist private schools, especially those within the affordable non-state education space, through targeted interventions focused on system-level, community-level, and school-level improvements.

The collaborative nature of the workshop was further solidified through a group breakout session. Teachers from various districts engaged in collaborative activities, facilitated by Quality Assurance Officers, designed to improve teamwork and problem-solving skills. These discussions were crucial for providing specific clarification on compliance expectations and the common non-negotiable requirements for school approval. By guiding proprietors and staff through the necessary steps for upgrading their schools, the OEQA is reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring that the quality of education in Lagos State is robust across all educational institutions.