Lagos Schools Reopen: Commissioner, Permanent Secretary Inspect Classrooms, Check Teacher Attendance
School owners, teachers and administrators in Lagos have been reminded that a clean, safe and conducive school environment is essential to effective learning as the 2026/27 academic session begins.
For parents sending their children back to school, the condition of the classroom, punctuality of teachers and the overall safety of the school environment can make a significant difference in how well learners settle into a new academic year.
Against this backdrop, the Lagos State Government has stepped up monitoring of schools across the State to ensure that teaching and learning begin smoothly.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, led one of the monitoring teams, visiting Keke Senior High School, Agege, where he inspected the school environment, interacted with teachers and administrators and assessed compliance with government directives on resumption.
Alli-Balogun stressed the need for punctuality, discipline, effective teaching and learning, as well as a safe and conducive environment for students.
He also urged students to take their studies seriously, read ahead and make effective use of their teachers.
“It is very important for you to be focused, read ahead of the class, engage your teachers by asking questions and participate in all positive things that happen in school,” the Commissioner told the students.
He encouraged them to build a strong foundation for their future while charging school personnel to remain committed to delivering quality education and giving every learner the attention and support needed to succeed.
Commissioner Checks Teacher Attendance
A major highlight of the inspection at Keke Senior High School was a roll call of teachers conducted personally by the Commissioner, as part of efforts to assess staff attendance, punctuality and discipline at the start of the new session.
The exercise sent a clear message that resumption is not simply about opening school gates; teachers and other school personnel must also be available and ready to work.
At other schools, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Eniola Opeyemi, monitored activities at Technical and Vocational School, Agidingbi, and Babs Fafunwa Grammar School, Ojodu.
The Permanent Secretary reviewed staff and student attendance, assessed school readiness and engaged school management and parents on the commencement of academic activities.
Dokunmu-Adegbite commended teachers and school administrators for their dedication and urged them to remain professional and committed to their responsibilities.
She also had a message for students, warning them against negative peer influence while encouraging them to learn from classmates who are doing well.
“Don’t join any bad group; learn from your mates that know better than you. Never stop learning,” she advised.
She encouraged students to develop useful skills and give their best to whatever they choose to learn.
Parents Also Have a Role
Beyond the classroom, the Permanent Secretary reminded parents that their responsibility does not end with paying school fees or dropping their children at school.
She urged parents to be more present in their children’s lives and take an active interest in their education, behaviour and personal development.
For teachers and instructors, she called for professionalism, discipline and continued support for students as they navigate both their academic and personal lives.
Lagos Deploys Senior Officials to Schools
The monitoring was not limited to the visits by the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary.
The Lagos State Government deployed all Directors on Grade Level 15 and above in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to various schools across the State to monitor the resumption exercise.
Their deployment is intended to provide wider coverage and give the government a real-time picture of school readiness, staff and student attendance and the commencement of academic activities.
For thousands of Lagos families, the inspection comes at a time when attention is returning to the classroom after the long break, with parents expecting schools to provide environments where their children can learn safely and effectively.
The Lagos State Government said the monitoring exercise is part of its broader effort to strengthen standards in public schools, support teachers and administrators and ensure that teaching and learning commence seamlessly across the State.
The message from the first days of the new session is clear: a successful school year begins not only with students returning to class, but with teachers ready to teach and schools prepared to receive them.
