LASUBEB Approves 16 New Vocational Centres for Primary Schools Across Ikorodu
By Emmanuel Daniji
The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) has approved the establishment of 16 new vocational centres in primary schools across Ikorodu Division, bringing practical and skills-based learning closer to thousands of pupils in the area.
The approval, granted on Wednesday, is expected to expand access to Art and Craft, Home Economics and Computer Literacy programmes across Ikorodu Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), covering Ikorodu Central and its five Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The development could make a significant difference for pupils who previously had to travel outside their immediate communities to access practical learning facilities.
Bringing Skills Closer to Pupils
According to the Ikorodu LGEA, the approval followed sustained advocacy by its Education Secretary, Alhaji Taiwo Abiodun Odumbo, who placed renewed emphasis on the psychomotor and vocational aspects of basic education.
A review of existing vocational infrastructure reportedly revealed a significant imbalance across the division.
While Ikorodu Central had Art and Craft, Home Economics and Computer Literacy centres, Ikorodu North had none, while Imota, Ijede, Ikorodu West and Igbogbo/Baiyeku lacked one or more categories.
The disparity meant that some pupils and teachers had to travel beyond their localities to access practical training.
For families and pupils, the problem was more than a question of distance. Limited access to practical facilities meant that some children could have fewer opportunities to develop skills outside traditional classroom learning.
16 Centres Across Six Council Areas
The newly approved centres are spread across Ikorodu Central and the five LCDAs.
Art and Craft Centres:
- AUD Primary School, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA
- AUI Primary School, Ijede LCDA
- UPE Primary School, Ajaguro, Ikorodu West LCDA
- Anglican Primary School, Akaun, Ikorodu North LCDA
- Jamahatul Islamiyah Primary School, Ikorodu LG
- AUD Primary School, Imota LCDA
Home Economics Centres:
- St. John Anglican Primary School, Imota LCDA
- Anglican Primary School, Ijede LCDA
- Farm Settlement Primary School, Odogunyan, Ikorodu North LCDA
- Togedejoye Community Primary School, Ojokoro, Ikorodu West LCDA
- UAMC Eleja Primary School, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA
Computer Centres:
- Anglican Primary School, Isawo, Ikorodu West LCDA
- C&S Primary School, Majidun, Ikorodu West LCDA
- Methodist Primary School, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA
- CPS Primary School, Mowo-Nla, Ikorodu LG
- AUD Primary School, Imota LCDA
From Classroom Knowledge to Practical Skills
The expansion is particularly significant as education increasingly moves beyond memorising information to developing practical, creative and digital skills.
For pupils in the affected schools, an Art and Craft centre could provide an opportunity to discover creative abilities at an early age, while Home Economics can introduce practical household and entrepreneurial skills.
Computer centres, meanwhile, could give children early exposure to digital technology at a time when computer literacy is becoming increasingly important in education and employment.
The Ikorodu LGEA said the new centres would create opportunities for pupils in communities where such facilities were previously unavailable.
‘No Pupil Should Be Left Behind Because of Geography’
The LGEA said the approval has effectively addressed the longstanding disparity in access to vocational education across the division.
“With this approval, every LCDA within Ikorodu Division now has access to all three categories of vocational training, correcting a disparity that had persisted for years,” the education authority said.
It expressed appreciation to LASUBEB for reviewing and approving the proposal, as well as to the chairmen of the local councils for their partnership.
The LGEA also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that pupils are not disadvantaged because of where they live.
“We remain committed to ensuring that no pupil within our Ikorodu Division is denied access to quality, well-rounded education on account of geography,” it said.
A Wider Opportunity for Ikorodu’s Children
The approval represents more than an expansion of school infrastructure.
For children who may eventually discover their talents through drawing, craftwork, cooking, technology or other practical activities, access to these centres could provide an early pathway towards skills development.
It also means that pupils in Ikorodu North, Imota, Ijede, Ikorodu West, Igbogbo/Baiyeku and Ikorodu Central can increasingly access practical learning within their own communities.
For Ikorodu’s education authorities, the objective is clear: a child’s address should not determine the quality or range of opportunities available to them in school.
With the 16 new centres approved, the division is taking another step towards making that principle a reality.
