Admin l Thursday, July 09, 2020
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has charged post-Primary School teachers in the State to collectively rise up to the present situation by reviewing old processes and procedures, including academic curricular for new ideas and innovations.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Eko Educators Webinar Series 2.0, the Head of Service described teachers as nation builders who are equipped and uniquely positioned and lawfully charged with the responsibility of shaping the minds and future of many, which are done through all the critical stages of human development, hence, possessing the greatest power of influence.
He commended the laudable initiative to represent a truly positive change in our approach to dealing with the emerging issues, particularly, in the face of the ravaging Covid 19 pandemic.
‘’ I must commend, not only the timeliness of this event, but the vision and demonstrated commitment of the Teaching Service Commission leadership in preparing Lagos State Public School teachers for the next level. It is common knowledge that knowledge, facilitated by conscious and deliberately structured educational process, is the foundation for all progress accomplished to date and achievable by humanity. Therein lies the critical incontrovertible role of teachers’’, he enthused
He stressed that the success of all these measures are highly dependent on the quality and capacity of teachers, which brought to an end, the era of not being ICT complaint and the urgent need to adapt to new realities is non- negotiable and paramount, while urging participants not to see this opportunity as a privilege, but one that must not be taken for granted, adding that teachers must continue to improve themselves to meet up with the challenges of the new normal and ensure diligence and continual publicity of all safety rules to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic.
He further acknowledged various efforts of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration in improving the Education Sector to include: Digitalization of Schools through EkoExcell and other various platforms; Development of the Home Grown Feeding Programme; Recruitment of 3000 Primary and Secondary School Teachers; Enhancement of the Public Private Partnership and Organization / Strengthening the Office of the Education Quality Assurance among others.
The Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, affirmed that the issue of capacity building of teachers is top on the agenda of the Commission, as Teachers are believed to possess great power of influence in shaping the minds of these young generation as they are critical catalysts in bringing this reality to fruition.
‘’ it is from them we build a classroom, a school and educational system that is more inclusive for everyone’’ she said.
In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi, admonishes all Post – Primary School teachers in Lagos State that beyond the Virtual trainings, they should avail themselves with other numerous Online training opportunities for self- development and be abreast of emerging trends in their chosen profession.
The second Series of the Eko Educator Webinar had over 3000 participants and two distinguished Guest Speakers: Dr. Tunji Abimbola (UK) who discussed Vulnerability and Safety: Identification and Support ; and Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi who also discussed Abuse and its Consequences on the Child.
