LASG Launches Project Zero to Reduce Number of Out-of-school Children

The Lagos State Government has launched Project Zero to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.

While disclosing this in Lagos on Friday November 20, 2020, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu at the event, expressed hope that the cases of out-of-school children would soon be a thing of the past.

According to the him, Project Zero which is a collaborative effort between the State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and an organised private sector will provide a school bag with school uniform, sandals, pairs of socks, writing materials and exercise books for school pupils to encourage and stimulate their interest in learning.

While decrying the spate of out-of-school children across the country, Hamzat stressed that the outbreak of Covid-19 and its attendant effects had further discouraged learning among pupils coupled with economic effects of the pandemic on the parents.

“With the support of our partners, Project Zero will bring pupils back to school. Our activities shall commence with the tracking and identification of children who have dropped out or with high risk of dropping out of school,” Hamzat said.

He commended the initiative by the organised private sector coming together to partner with the State Government to uplift the standard of education in the State.

He said, “I also appreciate you for the confidence you have reposed in us as government, to achieving our dream of an all-inclusive quality basic education.

“I must admit that your far-reaching donations and services will in no little way bring excitement and fulfilment to lives of many children who otherwise might have been deprived of basic education owing to varying reasons and circumstances beyond their control.”

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, thanked the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for being willing to give substantial resources of the state to education and for his commitment to the delivery of quality standard of education in the state particularly in investing in the EKOEXCEL.

She called on all to join hands with government to tackle the out-of school children menace in the state.

She stated that every child deserves access to quality and qualitative education.