Lagos SBMCs – working for school improvement
615 pupils at Community Primary School, Egbe in Alimosho LGA of Lagos State are enjoying a newly renovated block of classrooms, new furniture, and improved toilet facilities.
It was a development which the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) made possible. The SBMCs are official bodies being established nationwide under government policy to strengthen the link between local communities and their schools and to check schools are working.
“Before now, almost all the classrooms were in a state of disrepair, some close to collapsing on the pupils”, narrates Pastor H. O. D. Osoba, a retired school teacher and the SBMC Chair. His years of interest in education and his training for the SBMC spurred him to work with community members in Alimosho to create a safe learning environment for the children.
“We mobilised ourselves and did some minor repairs like re-plastering of walls and floors. The Rotary Club in Egbe came to help and provided water and toilet facilities and classroom furniture. But these were still not enough,” said Osoba.
“We approached the local authorities but without results. We thought hard about what other steps we could take. Then I thought about making a case to the Governor. So I emailed the Governor. I attached pictures of the dilapidating school structure and appealed to him for total renovation of the school”, explained Osoba.
Two weeks after his email, repair works started in the school – supervised by the LG Councilor for education. SUBEB also started to construct a new block of 14 classrooms in a school next door! By raising its voice, the Alimosho SBMC moved the Governor to intervene and direct relevant authorities to act.
Now the pupils of Community Primary School Egbe are learning in a safe environment.
“The rains do not disturb us again and our classroom floors are smooth now”, said Betty Eduvieri, a nine year-old Primary 5 pupil.
