Lagos State has become the first state in Nigeria to establish an Alternative Secondary School for Girls, providing a second chance at education for girls whose schooling has been disrupted by social, economic or personal challenges.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Elias Oladipo.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday commissioned the school, located on Old Ojo Road, Agboju, Amuwo, Lagos.
Represented at the commissioning by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady described the initiative as a major step towards ensuring that no girl is excluded from educational opportunities.
She said the establishment of the Alternative Secondary School for Girls represented an important milestone in the country’s efforts to make education more inclusive and responsive to the needs of different categories of learners.
The school is targeted at girls who have been forced to discontinue their education because of circumstances such as early marriage, poverty, teenage pregnancy, displacement and other social challenges.
According to the statement, beneficiaries will have access to accelerated learning programmes designed to help them return to the secondary education system and continue their academic journey.
The institution will also provide vocational training and psychosocial support to equip students with practical skills and create a supportive environment for their personal and educational development.
The initiative is expected to enable affected girls to obtain secondary education while preparing them for further studies, employment and other economic opportunities.
The establishment of the school marks a significant step by the Lagos State Government towards expanding access to education and creating alternative pathways for girls whose formal education has been interrupted.
