The Lagos State Government is set to commence the Graded Assessment Programme for Schools (GAPS) across 500 selected non-state schools as part of efforts to drive education quality reforms across the state.

The initiative, led by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), is being implemented in collaboration with the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), a programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and SEED Care & Support Foundation.

The implementation, set to begin with school visits from July 10, 2025, covers 400 registered but not-yet-approved schools and 100 fully approved private schools across 20 zones under Lagos’ six Education Districts.

According to the OEQA, the GAPS framework is designed to promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in school governance and performance. A two-day evaluator training held in June equipped quality assurance officers with practical skills for the rollout.

“The GAPS implementation reflects our determination to institutionalise a culture of continuous improvement and equity across all schools in Lagos. We are committed to building a quality assurance system that supports and strengthens, not just supervises. We call on all stakeholders to embrace this process with transparency and collaboration,” said Mr. Remi Abdul, Coordinating Director, Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA).

The programme uses a whole-school evaluation model that allows schools to self-assess, identify areas of strength and weakness, and develop actionable School Improvement Plans. Grading outcomes will also help schools access technical support, align with global benchmarks, and improve trust with parents and communities.

Director of the OEQA’s Quality Assurance Department, Mr. Ajibade Gbadebo Taofik, noted that Lagos is the first state in the Southwest to adopt the GAPS framework. Results from the evaluation will be shared with other states during a planned peer learning exchange involving Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Ondo.

Executive Director of SEED Foundation, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, added that the tool is designed as a support system rather than a punitive measure. “By telling the truth about where they are, schools position themselves for the help they truly need,” she said.

A virtual onboarding for selected school owners will hold on Tuesday, July 8, while the main field evaluations begin on Thursday, July 10.

The Lagos State Government has urged school leaders, teachers, and parents to cooperate with evaluators, emphasising that the GAPS rollout is not an enforcement exercise but a collaborative effort to raise education standards and leave no learner behind. (Vanguard)