Slum2School Africa has completed the first phase of its Lagos Model Primary School Project in Makoko, with three public primary schools receiving upgrades to improve learning conditions for children in the waterfront community.
The intervention, commissioned at Aiyetoro African Primary School, covers the renovation of classrooms, sanitation facilities, recreational spaces and technology infrastructure. Adekunle Anglican Primary School and Makoko Anglican Primary School, located within the same compound, also benefited from the project.
The project is being implemented under a public school adoption programme in partnership with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
Facilities provided or upgraded include Early Childhood Education classrooms, primary classrooms, a library, digital computer room, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics laboratory, sanitation and water facilities, sick bay, music room and an Enterprise Development Centre and Home Economics room.
According to Slum2School Africa, 10 existing nursery and primary classrooms at Aiyetoro African Primary School were renovated and adapted into age appropriate learning spaces, while another 12 primary classrooms were refurbished. The intervention also included a solar powered borehole and renovated toilet facilities.
The school environment was further upgraded with a football pitch, multipurpose courts for basketball, volleyball and lawn tennis, improved play areas and interlocked outdoor spaces.
Speaking at the commissioning, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the project as an example of the standard public schools should aspire to achieve.
Ogunsola said expanding similar interventions could contribute to improving the quality of education available to children and better prepare them for further education.
The Lagos Mainland Education Secretary, Barrister Tajudeen Tijani, said the project demonstrated the value of partnerships between government, communities and civil society organisations in improving public education infrastructure.
He said government owned schools remained central to basic education delivery, while partnerships could provide additional resources and expertise needed to improve learning environments.
The Executive Director of Slum2School Africa, Orondaam Otto, said the organisation’s objective was not limited to renovating school buildings but to improve what children experience within public schools.
Otto said the Makoko project was designed as a model that could be adapted to other public schools, particularly in underserved communities, through collaboration between government, communities and development partners.
The first phase received support from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ipsos Foundation, HP, Tritton, ESPN, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Red Hot Concepts and Love.fútbol.
The commissioning was attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Baera; Ogunsola; representatives of the Lagos State Government and Federal Ministry of Education; Chairman of Yaba Local Government, Dr Bayo Adefuye; education officials, community leaders, teachers, volunteers and families.
