Civil Rights Groups and Stakeholders Call for Reopening of St. Margaret Group of Schools in Lagos
Restoring Women and Girls Education for promotion of justice to save lives. (ROWGLES ADVOCACY INITIATIVE).
Civil Rights Groups and Stakeholders Call for Reopening of St. Margaret Group of Schools in Lagos
Civil rights organizations, including the ROWGLES ADVOCACY INITIATIVE, have joined forces in urging the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to reopen the Saint Margaret Group of Schools located at NBC road Ebute, Ikorodu Lagos. The school was abruptly sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) task force officers on March 27, 2024, and subsequently demolished.
The closure of the school has raised concerns, particularly as students were in the midst of their term examinations and preparing for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), scheduled to take place in three weeks. Opeyemi Ogunlami and Miriam Ginika, representing the civil rights groups, emphasized the urgent need for the school’s reopening to allow the students to continue their education uninterrupted.
Ogunlami emphasized that the closure of the school, especially during examination periods, would have a significant negative impact on the students’ academic progress. He called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene swiftly, considering the importance of the forthcoming examinations to the students’ future and the nation at large.
Miriam Ginika, echoing similar sentiments, criticized the approach used by LASBCA in sealing and demolishing the school, describing it as excessive and detrimental to the students’ education. She urged the governor to prioritize the welfare and education of the children, emphasizing that education is crucial for the nation’s growth and development.
Salami Oluseye, the school principal, also appealed to the governor to reconsider the decision to seal the school, noting that the institution has a track record of academic excellence and has contributed positively to the nation. He stressed the need for urgent intervention to unseal the school and allow students to resume academic activities.
In response to these appeals, Governor Sanwo-Olu has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the reopening of the school. However, stakeholders and concerned individuals are hopeful that the governor will intervene swiftly to ensure that the students’ education is not further disrupted.
