The Lagos State Government is planning to expand school inspections across its 57 local government and local council development areas by 2027 in a move aimed at improving teaching standards and the quality of education across the state.
The proposal is intended to bring education quality assurance officers closer to schools, allowing them to monitor classroom activities, assess teachers’ performance and identify problems that may affect students’ learning.
The Director-General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Sulaiman Ogunmuyiwa, disclosed the plan during a five-day education quality assurance roundtable held in Lagos on Tuesday, October 20.
Why the government wants to change the system
Currently, Lagos operates 20 zonal offices responsible for school quality monitoring. The proposed expansion would distribute inspection responsibilities more widely, helping evaluators work more closely with the schools they are expected to supervise.
Under the plan, schools could receive closer monitoring, while education officials would be better positioned to identify challenges involving teaching methods, school management, classroom conditions and students’ academic progress.
The government believes that improving school standards requires more than simply checking whether schools are operating. Officials also need to determine whether pupils are learning effectively and whether teachers have the support required to perform their duties.
Digital monitoring may replace paperwork
Another major part of the proposal is the introduction of technology-driven school evaluations. According to Ogunmuyiwa, the government is considering a system that would allow evaluators to record and manage assessments digitally rather than depend on traditional pen-and-paper processes.
The proposed system is awaiting the governor’s approval. If implemented, digital monitoring could make it easier to organise school reports, track identified problems and follow up on recommendations made during inspections.
The government is also considering giving vice-principals and assistant head teachers stronger responsibilities for monitoring teaching and learning within their own schools. They would help identify issues internally and maintain communication with the state’s quality assurance office.
What this could mean for students, teachers and parents
For students, the intended benefit is better teaching, improved learning conditions and stronger academic outcomes. Teachers could also receive more targeted professional support, while parents may benefit from greater accountability in how schools deliver education.
However, the success of the proposal will depend on how effectively it is implemented, whether enough qualified inspectors are available and whether schools receive meaningful support after assessments.
Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Tolani Alli-Balogun stressed that inspections should lead to practical improvements rather than end with reports that do not result in action.
The discussions also brought together education stakeholders who called for transparent evaluation procedures, clear performance standards and stronger cooperation between public and private schools.
The proposed expansion is still a plan, not a fully implemented policy. The next steps will include finalising recommendations, clarifying responsibilities and securing the necessary approvals.
If successfully introduced, the initiative could help Lagos strengthen oversight of its schools and focus more attention on whether children are receiving the quality education they need to succeed.
