Source: All Africa
DEPUTY Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire of Lagos State has reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to girl-child education, enjoining parents and guardians to utilise the free-education policy of the present administration to educate their children and wards.

According to her, the policy would discourage children especially the girl-child from street hawking and domestic servants. Adefulire disclosed this yesterday while receiving staff and students of New Era Girls secondary school, Surulere during an excursion to her office.

She said provision of qualitative education at all levels in Lagos remained a cardinal goal of the Fashola administration, noting that in the last four years, "the state government through the Ministry of Education, under the supervision of the former deputy governor, Princess Adebisi Sarah Sosan, has improved public schools with the provision of textbooks for students, desks and benches as well as the training and re-training of teachers."

These investments according to her, have improved the performance of students in external examinations from 7% in 2008 to 21% in the year 2010.Adefulire also informed the students that the Child Rights Law in the State is designed to ensure that the rights of children are not eroded in any way, enjoining the students to always seek the guidance of their teachers and school councillors on any domestic issues and problems they arise at home.She enjoined the pupils to take advantage of the accessibility of the government of Lagos State to channel their thoughts and opinions on issues, especially on education to the government for prompt action, adding that the government welcomes constructive criticism and opinions from the public, especially the younger generation, noting that the effort of the government was geared towards giving them a brighter rewarding future. Earlier, the Principal of the School, Mrs. Kikelomo Thompson informed the host that the school paid her a courtesy call as part of their programme for the Lagos-Eko Project, adding that the visit was also to congratulate her new office. 

• Nigeria