Lagos – The Lagos State Government on Monday advised principals and head teachers in its primary and secondary schools to be safety and security conscious.
Mrs Josephine Williams, the state Head of Service, gave the advice in Lagos at an interactive session with the schools managers.
She said that the call for security consciousness was not informed by any suspected security breaches but the need for people to be at alert at all times.
“It is imperative for everybody to learn from what is happening in some other states.
“School administrators should continue to inform pupils and students to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings,” she said.
The head of service, however, urged members of the public to desist from spreading unverified security-related text messages.
She called on the members of the public to forward such messages to security agencies for resolution of the content.
“Government on its part will step up provision of improved infrastructure in our schools particularly perimeter fencing of schools in order to beef up security,” she said.
Williams urged school managers to advise their pupils and students not to pick what does not belong to them.
“Tell them that whenever they observe any strange item, they should report to the appropriate authorities,” she said.
Williams also stressed the need for school administrators to educate their staff members and food vendors on safety and security consciousness.
Mr Fatai Olukoja, the Special Adviser to the state Gov. Babatunde Fashola on Education, said that security consciousness of all members of the society had become necessary in view of the security challenges in the country.
Olukoga said that the state government was concerned about the security of pupils and students.
“Everything must be done to prevent security breaches in schools.
“The lives of pupils and students are entrusted into the care of school managers from the time they assemble in the schools in the morning till afternoon when schools close for the day.
“The managers should be security conscious at all times so that the state will not experience security breaches,” he said.
He also said that school administrators should report strange movements and activities to security agencies.
“I wish to specifically charge principals of boarding schools not to release their students to anybody unknown to them and the child.
“School managers should always be conscious of the next person beside them; government is concerned about our safety, security and the general well being of every citizen,” Olukoga said.