The Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, has passed a resolution urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure the establishment of functional Guidance and Counselling Units in all primary and secondary schools across the state.

The lawmakers said the move was necessary to address the growing psychological, social, and emotional challenges affecting students, including substance abuse, cultism, internet fraud, and career indecision.

Debated during Thursday’s plenary session (No. 595), the resolution expressed concern over the rising rate of youth involvement in social vices and the absence of structured, professional counselling support in many schools.

Members of the House argued that a focus on academic knowledge alone was inadequate, emphasizing that education should also foster strong values, emotional intelligence, and life skills.

They noted that while some schools informally assign teachers to pastoral roles, most lack functional counselling units or trained professionals capable of providing early intervention and guidance, a situation they said contradicts the National Policy on Education (6th Edition, 2013), which underscores the importance of guidance and counselling services in schools.

The resolution, which was unanimously adopted, called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to direct the Commissioner for Education (Basic and Secondary Education) to take immediate action to establish and staff counselling units across public schools and to ensure compliance by private institutions.

It also urged the urgent recruitment and deployment of qualified counsellors, continuous training and capacity building for them, collaboration with parents, civil society, traditional institutions, and mental health professionals, as well as regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of the units.

Lawmakers said the initiative would promote students’ well-being, enhance academic performance, and build a morally upright generation equipped to meet future challenges. (The Guardian)