Following the controversial death of Sylvester Oromoni, an upper secondary student at the school, an administrative reorganization has taken place in Downen CollegeLekki, Lagos State.
For the next few months, the school will be run by “outside consultants” as the founder and other board members have resigned, an official said.
In a statement signed by Tomi Borisade, on behalf of the school’s Governing Board, the school said that while the school reviews its processes, it will not hesitate to relieve anyone responsible for administrative failures in their duties.
The statement says in part; “We are interested in ensuring that this type of situation never arises again.”
Also, on the roles that the appointed consultants will play, the school said; “They will evaluate the school’s policies, processes and practices and work to reassure our stakeholders about the quality and standards of the education we provide.
“The Dowen College family has had to rethink how best to reassure the public of our best intentions and how the interests of all parties can best be served to maintain and grow the good and privileged legacy of the school.
“We have worked to improve our protection and monitoring processes and policies to ensure better supervisory functions within the school. We are also reviewing our policies with our parents, staff and students to ensure strict compliance and best practices going forward.”
The statement added that “the school is also moving to improve communication and effectiveness with the Parent Teacher Forum to ensure that Dowen is one of the best schools, both at home and abroad.”
Compliance
The statement also announced that outside consultants will work with the school’s administration over the coming months to “ensure high standards and best practices are maintained and implemented where needed.”
The statement added: “We have been working with the Lagos State Ministry of Education and have taken into account their guidance and suggestions regarding various areas for improvement. We will implement infrastructure changes in shelters and school facilities to improve security and supervision within school facilities.”
background
Dowen College, recently plagued by controversy, was closed by the Lagos state government last year following the controversial death of 12-year-old Oromoni.
While the Oromoni accused the school, staff and some of its students of being complicit in the deceased’s death, the Lagos State Public Ministry (DPP) cleared them of complicity.
However, Oromoni’s parents and his lawyer, Femi Falana, criticized the DPP’s verdict, saying it was premeditated and also unacceptable.