The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to establish functional Guidance and Counselling Departments in all public primary and secondary schools across the state.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Mrs. Mosunmola Sangodara, representing Surulere Constituency II, during plenary.
Mrs. Sangodara stressed that education must go beyond academics to include students’ emotional, social, and moral development.
She noted that many pupils in Lagos grapple with challenges such as peer pressure, academic stress, examination malpractice, truancy, substance abuse, cultism, and career indecision—all of which hinder their well-being and performance.
She emphasised that establishing functional counselling services in schools would help build character, guide career decisions, reduce indiscipline, curb school dropouts, and promote emotional stability and mental health among students.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency II) urged the Lagos State University of Technology and Lagos State University of Education to prioritise the training and recruitment of guidance and counselling experts.
He also called on the Teaching Service Commission to employ more professional counsellors.
Hon. Solomon Bonu (Badagry Constituency I) added that a specific counsellor-to-student ratio should be defined to ensure effective implementation.
After extensive deliberations, the House resolved that the Ministry of Education should:Recruit and deploy professional counsellors to all schools,Organise continuous training and capacity-building programmes,Collaborate with parents, civil society, traditional leaders, mental health experts, and donor agencies to enhance awareness and resources, and Regularly monitor and evaluate counselling departments for effectiveness.
The resolution reaffirms the Assembly’s commitment to students’ holistic development and its drive to improve the overall quality of education in Lagos State.
Reporting by Segun Haastrup