Lagos reaffirms inclusive education drive as 2026 model colleges screening begins

 

 

The Lagos State government has restated its resolve to guarantee access to education for every child in the state, in line with its Leave No Child Behind policy.

Abisola Dokunu-Adegbite, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, gave this assurance while monitoring the commencement of the 2026 screening test for admission into model colleges and upgraded junior secondary schools, an exercise coordinated by the Lagos State Examinations Board.

Dokunu-Adegbite explained that the test forms part of the assessment process for primary school pupils seeking admission into secondary schools, noting that it also feeds into the continuous evaluation of learners across the state’s basic education system.

She commended the pupils for the ease with which they navigated computers and laptops during the exercise, and urged parents to keep making the sacrifices required to support their children’s education, describing education as the foundation and lifeline of any society.

The permanent secretary said the importance of education could not be overstated and called on parents to support government efforts to ensure every child has access to quality education.

She also commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the executive governor of Lagos State, and Obafemi Hamzat, his deputy for various interventions in the state’s education sector.

According to her, the screening test remains the sole criterion for placement into any of the state’s model colleges and upgraded junior secondary schools, and is open strictly to primary six pupils.

Daniel Ajayi, a parent, commended the state government for boosting public confidence in government-owned schools. He noted that while many parents previously favoured private schools, more families are now enrolling their children in public schools due to improved standards.

Ajayi added that the introduction of computer-based testing (CBT) had significantly enhanced the quality of the examination process, and applauded the government for the initiative.