Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Basic and Secondary Education, Hon Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has called for concerted effort among members of the society, government and parent to eradicate cultism and abuse of drugs in the society.
Speaking at the ministerial press briefing to mark one year anniversary of the second term of governor Babajide Sanwo-olu he noted that, the decaying moral discipline contributed a great deal to indiscipline among youth which leads to cultism and abuse of drugs.
Alli-Balogun noted that unless the society returns to the way things were done in the past, when the community trains a child, issue of moral decadence will be on the increase.
He noted that cultism is not visible within school premises in Lagos State particularly in secondary schools and primary schools, but it may be visible outside the school, which is then the responsibility of parents to train the child on the right path to follow.
“Cultism is not always visible, may be visible outside the school, not within schools in Lagos.
“Irresponsibility is from the home, which means those students engaging in cultism and drug abuse are not properly trained.”
Alli Balogun noted that training a child require the society effort, government intervention and parental input, he added that many organisations have now taken it as a responsibility to help train the children,” it requires collective efforts, we must all come together to eradicate cultism, drug abuse, it is community bond, moral values is decaying.” Alli Balogun.
On some schools charging exorbitant school fees, the commissioner said, the state government cannot regulate the fee a school can charge because, operating schools is a free business, but their are regulations guiding it.
Alli Balogun stated that if a private school do not violate the law of state government, government won’t go after such schools.
He added that the ministry of education monitors the activities of the private schools and public schools through its various agencies to ensure there is discipline among the students and teachers.
The commissioner said that in the last one year, 12 private schools have been shut down for not complying with the regulation and law of the state government.
He added that, the ministry also gives interest and welfare of teachers priority, saying in the last one year 1,059 teachers were trained on capacity development, so also 1,000 people were recruited into the teaching service.
Alli- Balogun added teachers who are on pension were also given priority in ensuring they were not deny of their pension, and in the last one year 1,309 pensioners cases were treated.
He added that, the state government always monitor movement of students, and did not encourage students to be moving about during school hours and that is why all public schools in the state are fenced round.