As the name implies, the Lagos Indian School, though located in the economic capital of Nigeria, is only for Indians. If any Nigerian must be admitted into the institution, they must at least have an Indian passport.
Located opposite Rite Price Supermarket, Akinteye Drive in Ilupeju, the school’s main structure is a 3-storey building flooded with Indians, many of whom nearby where they buy items freely at shops, malls and stands owned by Nigerians.
Here are key facts about this school based in Lagos but hardly has Nigerians as its students:
- The Indian Language School was established in Lagos in 1982 in light of the growing Indian community in the city.
- Indian Language School is a private school set up by the Indian High Commission in Nigeria.
- It was originally set up in a residential neighbourhood at 11 Johnson Street, Illupeju, Lagos.
- The school began as converted residences — with three floors, a playground, a football court, a basketball court, and a volleyball court.
- Over the past few years, the school has expanded significantly, acquiring nearby properties, thus catering to the large number of students that enrol with the school each year.
- This is currently the only Indian school in Lagos and offers education till 12th standard.
- It has classes from LKG to 12 and has been holding CBSE Board Examinations for Grades 10 and 12, since the late 1980s.
- The school has approximately 3,000 registered students
- The school follows the Central Board of Secondary Education curriculum and helps Indian students residing in Lagos to transition into higher education programs.
- The current principal of the school is Sonali Rajan-Gupta. The former principal, Ms Suman Kanwar was principal from 1985 to 2013.
While in theory, the school should be open to all residents (and, with all due respect, I am frankly I am doubtful that they’re not), in practice it’s an Indian Language school running an Indian curriculum. What the heck would Nigerian kids be doing there?